Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Noctis felt like he couldn't breathe; everything was closing up in his chest. The event that had just happened was still burning his mind and heart. He couldn't even begin to wrap his head around it. Had it all really been another trick? Was it really all a trick this entire time?

Had he really just pushed Prompto off the train?

OH GODS.

HE HAD PUSHED PROMPTO OFF THE TRAIN.

HE PUSHED PROMPTO OFF A MOVING TRAIN!

Prompto was back there somewhere. Somewhere… probably hurt, crippled… or worse. No… Noctis couldn't bring himself to think of the worst. He needed to do something. He had to do something. He couldn't just stand here and freak out about it! He had to go after Prompto!

"How long were you in the dark?"

He could hear Ardyn speaking from behind him, but none of the words were processing. Everything was a rush in his head, blending it all together. He wanted to turn around and face Ardyn, the real Ardyn. He wanted to actually take him down this time. But Noctis's legs were already feeling weak like paper. He wasn't sure if he was going to even have the strength to face the man now. Instead there was something much more important on his mind; he had to make his move now before it was too late.

Without even looking back at Ardyn, Noctis threw his Engine Blade off the train and warped after it, leaving Ardyn looking completely baffled and far from amused.

What Noctis wasn't expecting was the ground to come up on him so quickly. Even warping couldn't stop the painful impact of his legs meeting the ground before he started to tumble. Noctis shouted as he felt the pain shoot through his entire body.

When he stopped moving, he reached out to break a Hi-Potion over his body. It healed up any cuts or open wounds he may have had, but sadly, potions could not heal the bruises or the pain. Once the potion's magic died down, he was finally able to look around. He was on the ground with the train long gone from sight, and thankfully no Ardyn looming over him.

Now that everything felt stable, he had to get up and find Prompto. The train hadn't been moving too fast, so he knew Prompto couldn't have been all too far behind where he was. But Noctis soon found out that this was going to be much harder than he thought. As soon as he tried to stand, there was a horrid burning pain that flew up his left leg. The jump and tumble to the ground must have really set off his bad leg, and no potion could ever heal those wounds. Only time and a lot of patience.

But again, he pushed all of that out of his mind. He would warp to Prompto if he had to, but first he would try to see how much he could manage while walking. It only took him a few feet to realize he was in too much pain to move a long distance. Sighing, he threw one of his smaller daggers and warped after it. He kept on going until he hit stasis.

He breathed out as he realized just how bad his situation was. He had just jumped off the train after Prompto, and that meant he left Ardyn on the train with Ignis and Gladio! Cursing under his breath, Noctis pulled out his phone as he waited for his magic to replenish and be out of stasis. But, when he pulled out his phone from his pocket, he let out another series of curses.

It was cracked… cracked beyond normal repair, and no amount of pressing any button was turning it on. "Great. Just great! Now what am I supposed to do!" he thought to himself harshly.

He stood there for a moment, trying to think over what it was that he could do. He had run ahead again without thinking. He couldn't even remember what happened on the top of the train other than he thought he had pushed Ardyn off, only for it to be Prompto instead.

"I can't believe I fell for that creep's tricks!"

Noctis shoved the phone back into his pocket and started to warp again. He only had to go a little further before he could see Prompto's body laying on the ground. That didn't sit well with him at all.

Despite the throbbing pain in his leg, he limped over to Prompto, dropping to his knees once he was near. He could see the bruises and blood on the blond's body and it made Noctis feel sick in every way possible. He had done this… this was all this fault.

He didn't even waste a second more; he took out a Hi-Potion and broke it over Prompto's body and then did it once more with another one. He didn't care if he was wasting his potions; he needed to heal Prompto as soon as possible. Though he realized there was one important thing he should have done from the start. Carefully he checked to see if Prompto was even breathing, pressing two fingers to his neck. A sigh of relief followed when he felt the steady heartbeat of his dear friend.

Noctis ran a hand through his hair as he waited, trying to think over what else he could do. Prompto was still breathing slowly, but his eyes started to flutter open. He suddenly gasped and tried to move back, covering his face with his arms.

Once again Noctis was feeling sick. He had never seen Prompto look at him in such a manner. He had never seen Prompto stare at him with fear. All the things he did and all the things he said to Prompto was when he thought he was Ardyn. Noctis had a feeling that Prompto didn't know about any of that, and so to him, he just saw his best friend attacking him and blaming him for everything. 

"Oh gods, Prompto," Noctis said, finally finding his voice. He had found it, but it was broken and weak now, barely able to keep steady. "I'm so sorry… I'm sorry…"

"N-Noct…?" Prompto asked, his voice just as weak.

"I'm so stupid…I fell for his stupid game. I'm sorry, Prom…"

Noctis leaned forward, trying to wrap his arms slowly around Prompto. He still flinched upon Noctis's touch, but he wasn't going to stop. He was already half way and he needed to try and keep going. Now holding Prompto in his arms, he felt everything break inside of him.

He just wasn't able to contain himself. Pushing Prompto off the train, realizing all the things that had been said, coming across Prompto who could have been near death if he wasn't as quick. It was all just too awful to consider.

"Noct…" he heard Prompto whisper to him. Slowly, Noctis could feel Prompto wrapping his arms around his shoulders. "H-Hey dude, no need to cry… or anything. It's okay."

"It's not okay! Don't say it is!" Noctis yelled, causing Prompto to flinch within his arms. "N-No, Prom… I'm sorry again. I can't keep scaring you like this. I'm just… I screwed up and that is not okay. I didn't mean anything that I said to you… I didn't even realize it was you."

"W-What…? What does that even… wait… Ardyn."

"Yeah it was him. He was messing with my head or something. I just saw him and heard his voice and didn't even think anything else. Please… I never meant anything that I said to you. It was all supposed to be towards Ardyn."

"You… mean it?" Prompto asked softly.

"Of course. It's him who I'm angry at. Not you. I could never be mad at you."

Prompto gripped Noctis's jacket tightly, his fingers trying to crush the fabric together. He seemed to have been holding back a sob, but now he was letting it show. It made Noctis want to hold him all the more tightly. Noctis honestly didn't care if Prompto saw him cry, but to see Prompto cry? The man who was literally sunshine in a physical form? It hurt all over.

But Prompto was safe. He was alive. That was what mattered most. Now feeling a little more relief, he ran his hand through his hair. Prompto still needed to calm down, and Noctis was sure this could help alleviate some of his stresses.

"Come on," he said finally. "We need to get somewhere safe. Need to try and call Gladio and Iggy. Is your phone okay? Mine got crushed in the fall."

"Uh, hopefully? Lemme check," Prompto said before he let go of Noctis.

Pulling out his phone, both of the boys sighed when they saw the state that it was in. "Well, it's just a bit cracked. Maybe we can still get it to work,"

"Prompto, I don't think that it'll-"

"We gotta try, though!" Prompto said as he smacked his phone lightly, as if that would make it turn on. "We can't just be stuck out here! The train is long gone and… and if we're…"

Noctis could already see the signs that Prompto was beginning to panic. It felt like it had been ages since Prompto last had a serious panic attack. With everything else going on, he seemed to have focused on helping Ignis mostly. But now there was nothing for him to do, nothing for him to put his focus on to keep him from hyperventilating.

Pulling him back into another hug, Noctis rested his head on top on top of Prompto's. "Hey, we're going to make it. Come on, let's try to see if we can find a place where we can rest up a bit better. You think you can stand?"

"Y-Yeah probably. How about you though?"

"I'll be fine. We'll work together, all right?"

Slowly, Noctis stood up, even though his legs were still burning from before. He held out his hand and helped Prompto up to his own feet. After that he tried to walk a few feet, but the muscles in his legs were already trying to give out. Before he could crumple to the ground, Prompto managed to catch him and pull him back up.

Now with one arm around him for support, Prompto tried to walk ahead, leading Noctis next to him. "Looks like we better find a place to sit soon. How bad's the leg?"

"It's been worse."

"Is there something really worse than being pushed…" Prompto swallowed. "F-Falling off a train?"

Noctis cursed quietly. "Shit… I'm sorry. I still really am. I can't even imagine what that must have… well, you know…"

"But weren't you pushed off by Ardyn or something?" Prompto said, avoiding all talk on what his experience was being shoved from a moving train. "How else did you even end up here?"

Noctis shook his head. "No. I jumped off. Well… I warped. Still didn't go too well for me in the end."

"But that's basically jumping off a train! Like what you'd see in the movies! But actually painful! You…you really did that?"

"Yeah… I had to. I wasn't about to leave you behind."

"But what about Iggy and Gladio?"

Noctis sighed as he lowered his head. "I know… they're going to have my head for this. But seriously as soon as I saw you go overboard. There was nothing else on my mind but you. I didn't care what they would say if they were with me in the moment."

"O-Oh…" Prompto replied, his cheeks reddening. "Tha… thanks."

Noctis pulled Prompto in closer, brushing his face against his. "Don't feel like you weren't worth it. Cause you are always worth it to me."

"Really, Noct, thanks. So, um… now what?"

"I don't know… head back the way we came, I guess we need a proper place to rest, and out in the middle of nowhere isn't going to help. So the train yard would be our best bet."

"Will you make it, though? You know, with…" Prompto glanced down to Noctis's legs.

Noctis breathed in sharply, feeling a bit of pain as he stepped forward. This was not going to be an easy journey for him, but he couldn't let Prompto worry anymore than he already was. "I'll be fine. I got you here, anyway. That's what matters."

"Right… okay. Let's keep moving, then."

With their arms around each other, they kept their slow and steady pace. Prompto kept a sharp look out around them, to see if there were any enemies or creatures that could be lurking.

As far as they could see, there wasn't anything to worry about. Even if there was, Noctis wasn't sure if he was ready to fight. His legs were still burning with pain, and he knew that walking wasn't helping them at all, but he wasn't just going to sit and let enemies come to them. The best course of action was to move someplace where they could hide, even if that place was the train yard where a lot of the commotion had just happened. He just wasn't sure what else to do at the moment. Everything was still swirling in his head and in his gut. Prompto's expressions were still burned to his eyes.

The fear.

The panic.

He had been the reason for these emotions in Prompto. It was his fault that Prompto was shaken up like this. Sure, he still blamed Ardyn for being the one to orchestrate it all, but he still fell for it in the end. He was still too angry and foolish to really think before he acted, and this was the cost. He could only hope that he would be able to make it up to Prompto somehow… maybe one day.

Together, they kept on walking until they arrived at the train yard that they were at earlier. Prompto stopped walking, warranting Noctis to stop as well. "Okay, I'll look ahead okay? Just stay close but let me lead."

"Prom, no. I'll lead."

"You're the one who's still hurt," Prompto argued. "Let me check if the coast is clear, okay?"

Noctis opened his mouth to argue again, but Prompto took a few steps forward. He looked ready to summon his gun, but then he stopped. "Wait, I… I don't have my gun anymore."

"What do you mean you don't have it? Shouldn't it be in the armiger…" Noctis trailed off when the memories flashed back into his mind. He thought Ardyn was the one holding the gun. He had swatted the gun out of Ardyn's hands, but it was really Prompto the entire time.

"Crap. Sorry…" Noctis sighed. "It's my fault…"

"Don't blame yourself again. You didn't know," Prompto replied quietly.

"You don't have any other guns left, do you?"

Prompto shook his head. "No we sold them, remember? So we could buy the better gun, plus more potions and stuff."

"Yeah… true. You, um, wanna use one of mine, then? I know you're a guns kind of guy, but you need something to defend yourself."

"Sure, Just give me something not too big and clunky."

Noctis summoned his Ragnarok sword and handed it over to Prompto. "This is a light one; will this do?"

"Your glowy red sword that makes for awesome pictures?" Prompto said, trying to crack a grin. "Yeah, that'll work!"

He gave a nod after that and went to move ahead. After a moment, he nodded again, motioning for Noctis to follow after him, and the two entered the yard, seeing that it was void of all life. With that in mind, they headed forward, no plan at all, but all they needed was a place to rest. Maybe with rest and with time they could figure out just what it was they needed to do.

Though, while he was worrying for the two of them, he couldn't help but think back to Ignis and Gladio. They were on their own now with Ardyn still on the train, and Noctis had no idea if Ardyn was going to pull another stunt like he had before. Maybe if they could find a phone, he would warn them.

With his eyes closed, he sent out a small prayer, even though he was not one to normally do so. He let that prayer float around in his head, wishing that Ignis and Gladio would be safe through the rest of the train journey. He didn't know what else could happen, but if Ardyn and daemons were still there, he only could hope they could find a way to be safe. He wasn't even sure if he was doing it right, but he knew he had to give it a try.

After his thoughts were done, he could have sworn he heard or felt something. Some unintelligible words that he couldn't figure out. Maybe it was one of the Astrals responding, speaking in that language he could not comprehend. Either way, the small feeling it left him gave him at least a bit of reassurance that his friends would be okay. Now all that was left was to keep moving forward with Prompto, and to figure out what to do next.

Ignis and Gladio were still up in the engine room. Daemons were still crawling all over the train, but there wasn't a whole lot that they could do about it at this point. What was more frustrating was that neither Prompto nor Noctis were answering their phones. Ignis already knew that they were probably busy fighting, what with everything that happened, but it still worried him that after all this time they couldn't answer.

"Relax, Iggy," Gladio said. "Give them a chance. There's probably a fuck-ton of daemons that they're dealing with."

"I know," Ignis replied curtly. "But after a certain point, I am allowed to express my worries."

"Oh, worry you should," a sly voice cut in before Gladio could reply.

Ignis tensed up, and he heard Gladio summon his sword and moved in front of him. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Oh, I was just enjoying a nice little trip. Beautiful view, is it not?" Ardny asked coldy. There was something in his voice Ignis could tell was off. He was speaking in his usual sly and cunning manner, but there was something else, too. It was hard to tell just based on the little that he had heard, but he kept on listening carefully.

"But I would say that something's missing, wouldn't you agree?"

"What did you do to them?" Gladio accused sharply.

"Me?" Ardyn gawked. "Well, I didn't do a thing. It was all your prince, being completely reckless and warping off of a moving train."

"He did what?!" Ignis gasped, even though internally he scolded himself for believing such things.

"Yes, it was quite the spectacle. After he shoved off his dear precious friend, he decided to jump off after him. I would have stopped him, but he left before I could intervene."

Gladio grumbled. "Yeah, right. Like we're supposed to believe that."

Ardyn hummed softly. "I never said you had to believe me, but seeing as your prince and his little friend aren't here to tell their side of the tale, I'm afraid I'm all that you have."

"Why else are you here?" Ignis said, trying his best to keep calm.

"I thought it would be kind of me to inform you of what happened, but I can see that I have no hospitality here."

Ignis could hear Ardyn turning around, his footsteps heading towards the door. "Oh, and if you do wish to see your prince and his friend again, keep moving forward to Gralea. I assure you that you will be able to reunite with them there. And perhaps you will even find your precious crystal there too."

Without another word, he was gone, and both Ignis and Gladio let him. Ignis knew all too well that challenging Ardyn again would no doubt end badly. He did not want to risk anything more at the time, especially when on the train with innocent people. But inside he was fuming, wishing he could have gone after Ardyn again. It took every ounce of his will to hold himself back from another full on attack. Thankfully Gladio was there, and he knew even if he tried, he would have been stopped.

"So now what?" Gladio grumbled. "He can't be telling the truth, right?"

"I would not put it past him to lie, but on the other hand, it may be more of a risk to go back and try and look for them."

"What? Iggy, are you-"

"If we turn around and head back trying to look for them when they move forward looking for us, there is a high chance that we will miss them. I have a sinking feeling that Ardyn may even say a few choice words to Noct and Prompto. If he wants to lead us to Gralea, then so be it, especially if the crystal is in fact there."

"But Noct and Prompto. Shouldn't we find some way to contact them?" Gladio asked.

Ignis sighed. "Well, if you can make them answer their phones, then be my guest. But there is a good chance they either don't have their phones, or worse-Ardyn has taken them for the sole purpose to make us unable to contact them. We can only hope that they can reach a phone to call us in another way."

"Right…" Gladio sighed as he turned back to the controls of the train. "We should make a stop as soon as we can, drop off the people and form a better plan. I just hope they're doing okay."

"I hope that as well… we can only assume that they are together, and then the rest is left up to the fate put out in front of us."

Chapter Text

Prompto and Noctis searched the entire train yard, and yet there was still no sign of anyone. They had managed to get over to an area where they could sit, but even then Noctis felt jittery. He didn't know what to do at this point, and the more time that passed, the worst he felt.

Their phones were still broken, and all phone lines had been cut at this train yard. There was no way he could get in contact with Ignis and Gladio. Not here, at least. They were miles from any place that was safe from the Empire.

"Gotta figure out something…"

Prompto headed back over to where Noctis sat, placing the sword he had been using against the bench. He flopped down next to Noctis and sighed. "No one's here. It's a complete ghost train yard."

"Well at least we don't have to worry about being jumped," Noctis sighed.

"But now we need to figure out what to do. We can't contact Ignis or Gladio, and I don't think there are any phones here."

"I guess the best thing we can do is either find a place to call them, or head on to where we were headed."

"By ourselves? Do we get, like, another train?"

Noctis thought about that idea. It was a possibility that another train could come by in the end, but it left open too many loose ends. So he shook his head. "Too risky. We'd have to wait a while for the train, but also we don't know who'd be running it."

Prompto shifted, looking a little less confident. "You mean it could be Ardyn?"

"Could be," Noctis spat. "Wouldn't put it past him at this rate. He's ruined everything!"

"Hey, hey," Prompto started to say as he placed a hand on Noctis's back. "I know he caused a lot of issues, some worse than others… but we'll get back at him. Right? We can do it together."

Noctis sighed, trying to give some more thought to the situation. He wished he could easily give an answer, but sadly it couldn't be that simple. "I know, but I'm personally going to get back at him for that train stunt."

Suddenly a cold gust of air blew through the area. The two boys shuddered, and Noctis pulled his jacket a little tighter. Prompto, on the other hand, couldn't do that. He always wore sleeveless outfits, and now being closer to Niflheim, which was covered in snow, probably didn't make it any better.

Noctis started looking around the area again, trying to remember what he had seen before. "There's a station store here, right? We should look and see if they got anything warmer we could use. It's only going to get colder once we get to Gralea."

"Wait! We're still going to head out there somehow?"

Noctis pulled out the map from the armiger. "If we can't get a train, we'll most likely have to walk."

"Walk? All the way to Gralea?! Isn't that a bit insane?"

Noctis thought for a moment before he gave a shrug. "Not entirely? Here, look at the map."

Noctis set the map down. "We're here at this little train yard. Now, walking all the way around to Tenebrae… it would take too long. Probably too dangerous since most of that land is elevated train tracks. We need to find a way to cut through to the other side that isn't too hazardous. Looks like if we head back in the direction of Cartanica there's a pass way through the mountains. Just a little past the beige area here, it looks like we can walk through."

"But dude, that still means we still have to walk through miles of snow! And going over the regular bridge area too!"

"Well it's either try and cut our way through to get to Gralea or head all the way back to Cartanicia to try and get in contact with Gladio and Ignis."

Prompto hummed, taking a moment to study Noctis's expression. "But what about Tenebrae?"

Noctis's expression wavered, his eyes drifting to the ground. "I doubt Ignis and Gladio would want me wasting anymore time. Should just get to where we were going, right?"

"Oh, you are right, indeed," a familiar chilling voice said.

Prompto and Noctis jumped to their feet, Noctis taking a few steps in front of Prompto to protect him. He breathed in deeply, looking in every direction, waiting for the moment when he could finally attack and get the revenge he wanted. His blood was already boiling, and as soon as he saw Ardyn, he knew he was going to pounce.

Only when Ardyn did appear before them, Noctis's blood decided to run cold. He thought he could have done it, but all that courage drained the moment he saw those golden eyes. Stepping back, he instead wrapped his arm around Prompto. He needed to never let Prompto leave his sight this time. Never again was he going to let himself be tricked by Ardyn.

Holding out his Engine Blade, he glared towards the taller man. "What the hell do you want?"

"Such hostility. So very unkingly," Ardyn taunted. "All I bring is information and I am met with disdain."

"There's nothing I want to hear from you!" Noctis hissed. "Now get out of here before I lodge this sword in your chest."

"Nothing? I find that hard to believe," Ardyn scoffed. "I thought knowing where you Adviser and Shield are headed would be of grave importance."

Noctis flinched, uncomfortable at just how Ardyn could make his skin crawl. "I have no reason to believe you."

"And what do you have to believe? Just going to wait and see if your friends will return? From what I heard they were heading onward to Gralea still," Ardyn said with a dramatic shrug.

"Why?"

"Because that's where they believe you're headed, of course. What other reason could there possibly be?"

Gritting his teeth, Noctis tried stepping forward slightly. He kept his grip tightly on Prompto, still unable to let him out of his sight. "How can I believe you?! What fucking reasoning would I ever believe you?"

Ardyn only smiled, stepping back. "You were heading there originally, yes? And now they believe you are still heading there. Wouldn't you say it's better to head to your original plan? Or would you rather take a shot in the dark and head in the opposite direction? I'll leave you to decide."

Ardyn then faded from their vision, leaving nothing but the barren train yard around them. Noctis was breathing deeply as he turned to face Prompto, staring into his wide and concerned eyes.

"Prompto, you still with me?"

"Yeah! Of course!" Prompto said. "That was just… were not just going to believe him, are we?"

Noctis sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. He couldn't tell which was way right and which way was wrong. Usually he had Ignis for this stuff, but he was on his own with Prompto. Neither of them were very good at dealing with these types of situations. It was always Ignis who knew what to do and lead the group. Without him, Noctis realized just how useless he really was on his own.

"Noct?"

Noctis snapped away from his thoughts. "Huh? What?"

"You zoned out there for a minute. You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," Noctis said, probably a little too quickly, but it seemed that Prompto didn't catch it.

"Let's-" he paused, sucking in another deep breath. "Let's just start making our way to Gralea. We can't waste any more time."

"But that's still heading through miles of snow! Where are we going to get gear to stay warm?"

"This train yard has an outpost, right? Maybe there's some gear we can get before heading out."

The two moved on, heading towards the small outpost that was at the back end of the train yard. It was vacant like the rest of the place, but everything seemed to be well stocked. There was food and even gear for trekking through the winter weather.

Prompto and Noctis picked up snow suits and boots for themselves before headed back out. Noctis checked around again before pulling out the map. He checked again where they had to head and started to walk to the front of the area.

Turning towards Prompto, he held out his hand. "Ready to go?"

"I guess so. Not much else that we can do here."

"Right, so let's go."

Walking together, they headed back in the direction of Cartanica. Moving across the tracks, they moved quickly, not wanting to waste any more time than they already had. By the time they got to the bridge, they took the time to move a little more carefully.

It didn't take long before they had passed over it, and by then they could already tell that the temperature was dropping. Pulling off to the side after the bridge, they went to put on their new snow gear. Noctis looked over at Prompto when he saw that he was finished first. He never really had seen Prompto in long sleeves. Even in high school Prompto always had his sleeves rolled up, never once having them all the way down.

Now he was all in black, with a few minor other colors, but that didn't matter. It was just a sleek and comfy looking snow outfit, but it was making Noctis's heart skip a beat. Prompto was rather cute like that, all the way down to the winter boots.

"What?" Prompto asked. "Something wrong?"

"Oh, n-nothing," Noctis shook his head quickly. There was no time for thoughts like that, anyway. Whatever this feeling was, Noctis figured he could deal with it later.

"Hey! Would you look at that!" Prompto exclaimed rather cheerfully. "We're like twinsies!"

Noctis couldn't help but let out a snort. Prompto always had such a cute and amusing outlook that could help brighten the mood. "Twinsies?"

"It sounds more fun than just 'twins,' y'know!" Prompto laughed.

"Are you going to take a selfie of us or something?"

Prompto's eyes widened before softening. "Oh. Oh… I guess we could. With everything that happened, I almost forgot that I could do that."

"Hey, you don't gotta worry about it. Remember what I said? It's not your fault and everything I said was meant towards Ardyn," Noctis said as he placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "Besides, the winter landscape would be great for some good pics, right?"

"Yeah, you're right about that," Prompto said as he pulled his camera out from the armiger. "Now let's get this shot, okay?"

Noctis smiled as he leaned into frame, bringing his face in closer to Prompto's. Like usual, Prompto slung an arm around Noctis while extending the other. He smiled widely and clicked the button.

When Prompto's arm pulled away, Noctis swore that he felt five times colder than he did before. Being near Prompto brought warmth as it obviously would, but right now it felt more true than ever. Part of him wished he could hold Prompto right by his side, never letting him go again.

But, that was part of those thoughts again. Those pesky thoughts that had been invading his head ever since he jumped off the train. Maybe it was the adrenaline still kicking in him, amplifying his feelings. He was almost certain there had never been this much care and worry over Prompto. Then again, when he thought back on it, he had always cared for Prompto. Ever since they first properly met in high school, Noctis had taken a liking to Prompto.

Prompto treated him like a regular person, something Noctis cherished deeply. It was all genuine, too. Every word and action Prompto did around Noctis wasn't an act. He never was acting like that to try and get something from him. All of his honesty and friendship was truthful, and it really made the difference from the royal life. That was just part of the reason why Noctis was so in love with Prompto.

"Wait…" Noctis's thoughts hissed at himself. He was walking alongside Prompto, who thankfully was distracted by the snow that was starting to fall. With him trying to take some pictures as they walked, it gave Noctis enough time to let his thoughts run wild.

"Was I just…? Have I really been thinking about Prompto that way? This entire time? Fuck. Of course I love him." Noctis sighed deeply to himself. Part of him was surprised he hadn't realized it sooner. "It took a literal life or death situation that was caused by my own stupidity to realize I love him."

Trudging through the snow, Noctis reflected back on everything. Every moment he had shared with Prompto, trying to pinpoint the very moment his feelings must have changed. Had it been just recently? Since the start of the trip? Or did it start during their high school years and Noctis just denied any feelings because he didn't understand them?

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out the 'when' of it. But in the end, he didn't see it as mattering. He loved Prompto, but there was no way he could ever tell him. He could never tell him how he felt, especially after that stunt on the train. He knew Prompto understood that it was Ardyn who caused him to act out, but that didn't mean the words were erased.

Even though those words were never meant for Prompto, he just accepted them and everything else Noctis had tried to do. He was too good of a friend to ever fight back. Part of that hurt, knowing Prompto was willing to let Noctis practically choke him as he spat hateful words.

To Noctis, Prompto was so pure and full of light. Prompto was his light. The one who saved him from falling into a dark and lonely place of people always serving him. Sure, he had Ignis and Gladio, but Prompto was that outsider that made him feel more human. Prompto was that piece of him that he needed to not lose his mind to his inner loneliness.

"I really love him, don't I?" Noctis asked himself. "I can't tell him. No. Can't let him know about my stupid, selfish desires. Just, I'll keep this to myself. As long as Prompto's by my side, even as just my friend, it'll be good enough."

Chapter Text

Cold winds whipped across the land, nipping constantly at Noctis and Prompto's faces. The endless vision of snow had made their eyes almost hurt from when the sun reflected down on it. Their only relief came when the sun had set and their vision properly adjusted. The only downside to that was the dropping temperature.

It grew colder and colder by the minute, and the boys shifted closer to one another, trying to find warmth. Even with their attempts, the wind slapped the frozen flakes into their faces, making their entire bodies shake and tremble.

"Come on," Noctis said. "We need to keep going. We should be able to turn off the path."

"But how much further? All I see is a crap-ton of snow," Prompto replied.

"Don't know. But we need to keep going. Stay close."

Prompto shuddered as he bumped up alongside Noctis, and right away he wrapped an arm around him. If it helped them stay at least a little bit warm, Noctis was going to go for it, even if it did make him a little flustered.

Sure he had spent many close times with Prompto before. Hanging out on the couch together, goofing off in the back of the Regalia, and even sleeping close in the tent. Lately, Noctis felt himself growing more and more attached to being around Prompto. He now knew why, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with.

He had been thinking long and hard about his revelation over those feelings and how it would affect everything. It wasn't the time nor the place, but no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to shake the thoughts away.

"It's freezing out here," Prompto muttered.

"I know…" Noctis whispered back.

He hated every moment he couldn't do something more to help. Out in the cold tundra he was pretty much useless. The winds had picked up and it was hard to see which way they were actually going. Stopping to check the map would only waste their time and the remainder of light they had during the day. All they could do was keep going.

Prompto staggered as a strong wind brushed up against them. Noctis was quick to try and keep Prompto from falling over, but even he was feeling weak in his legs. Noctis tried to grip Prompto tighter, pulling him through each grueling step.

"Come on," he breathed heavily. "We're almost there."

"Almost where? There's nothing for miles."

"A cave maybe? We could rest there," Noctis said.

He looked across the landscape, seeing the shadows of mountains in the distance. Even with warping, he would hit stasis long before even coming close to them. The last thing he wanted was to be in stasis while out in a blizzard. He couldn't let himself become useless and put so much on Prompto's shoulders. They had to support each other equally, and Noctis knew all too much not to burn himself out in a dire situation.

Prompto must have been thinking something similar. Noctis could see it in his face, knowing they couldn't get there as fast as they would have wished.

He breathed out slowly as he gave his next question. "Just keep walking then?"

"Seems like it."

"Yeah, okay."

They trudged further, watching as the skies grew dark with more clouds. As the wind picked up, Prompto held his hand in front of him. Noctis soon found himself doing the same. There was just too much snow to see anything now. The mountains he had thought were in the distance were now blurred away with the excessive snow.

The snow was already building up on their clothes, and Noctis was sure there was some freezing into their hair. He could feel how stiff it was when the wind brushed it against his face. At this rate he wasn't sure how much further they were going to make it. The temperature kept dropping and the snow showed no sign of letting up.

It was at this time that Noctis wished he had better access to his magic. Due to his injury he had as a child, his abilities to truly connect to his Lucian magic was damaged. He couldn't summon magic to his hand naturally like his father, or even some of the Kingsglaive could. He was completely worthless in that area, always having to rely on flasks to do the job for him.

Even a flash of fire wouldn't help in this situation. It would burn out immediately against the harshness of the wind. There was nothing he could do besides stay close to Prompto and hope it was enough.

Speaking of Prompto, Noctis finally came out of his deep thoughts and realized that he was walking alone. He turned around and saw the blond face first in the snow.

"Prompto!" he shouted.

He ran back as he felt the beat of his heart dare to break his chest. "Prompto, you need to get up!"

"S-So cold," Prompto stuttered. "Wh-What a way to go…"

"No! No this is not the way to go!" Noctis shouted.

He tried to pull Prompto up, but even his own body was telling him to stop. Every one of his muscles ached and burned, feeling more stiff by the minute. "Come on, Prom. You have to get up. Please!"

He bent over and wrapped his arms around Prompto's body, trying once more to pull him up. All of his efforts were for naught though as his own muscles finally gave out and he let Prompto flop back down into the snow. With a heavy sigh, he laid himself carefully on top of Prompto, wrapping his arms around him again, but this time to provide warmth.

"I'm sorry…" Noctis muttered.

"Not your fault."

"Yes, it is," Noctis grumbled. "I dragged us into this because I was stupid and fell for Ardyn's trick."

Above, he could hear the sound of Magitek engines. Even in the roaring wind of a snowstorm those ships could still be heard crystal clear. He lifted his head and saw that the spot lights were pointed on them. MTs were already jumping down and slowly approaching, weapons in hand and prepared to strike at any moment.

Noctis tried to focus, but his vision was already beginning to blur. There would be no way he would win this. Even if he tried, he wasn't about to get up and leave Prompto defenseless.

"I'm sorry," Noctis repeated.

He buried his face against Prompto's, daring not to look at the MTs that drew closer. If these would be their last moments, he didn't want to spend it staring at the enemy.

"I love you, Prompto. I'm sorry I hurt you," Noctis whispered once more before his consciousness finally faded away.

With a groan, Prompto started to feel his thoughts come back to him. The hazy was beginning to clear up and he was able to open his eyes, trying to focus.

"Where…" he mumbled softly.

Pushing himself to his knees, his eyes quickly fell to his right wrist, seeing that the sleeve had been pushed up and his wrist band was gone.

"Shit. Where is it? It's gone," he cursed softly under his breath. "It can't just be gone!"

With a deep breath he pulled the sleeve down, hiding the barcode from his sight. As long as he didn't have to see it, he could worry about it later. For now, he needed to figure out the answers to the questions piling up in his head.

"Where… What is this place?" He muttered as he turned around.

He was just starting to take in the area around him when he saw Noctis laying on the floor beside him. "Ah! Noct! That's right… We were in the snow. We were walking."

He gasped before he bent over and started to gently shake him. "Noct! Wake up Noct!"

All of the memories came rushing back to him. He remembered where they were before, far out in the cold tundra. He remembered how hard it was to see anything with the snow trying to blind him. Noctis was there the entire time, holding on to him, trying to keep him warm.

He was there until he wasn't. The wind had picked up and for a moment Noctis had slipped away from him. The next became a blur as his face had met snow. Noctis had soon come back before he realized it. His body had been pressed up against his own as he muttered something soft into his ears.

"Wonder what he was saying… Man, I was pretty out of it before," Prompto thought to himself.

He shook Noctis again. "Come on, Noct! Now's not the time to keep sleeping."

"Idon'twanna," Noctis mumbled incoherently. "Fivemoreminutes."

"No, not five more minutes. It's time to wake up and find out where the heck we are."

Noctis stared to blink, his eyes focusing on Prompto. Suddenly he lunged forward and wrapped his arms around him tightly. "Prom! You're okay!"

"Y-Yeah, of course I am," Prompto stuttered, startled by the sudden hug. He knew Noctis was not one for deep and close affection, at least not just out of the blue. "Are you?"

"I just," he swallowed as he pulled away. "I thought we were going to… we were out there and…"

"Hey," Prompto whispered. "It's okay. We're still alive. Somehow."

"But where's here?" Noctis asked as he started to look around.

Prompto shook his head. "Don't know. But might as well find out, yeah?"

Noctis stood up and then helped Prompto to his feet. "Right. Let's look around, okay?"

The two began to look around the room, passing by the various pieces of equipment that they had no idea about. Eventually Promtpo found a newspaper that had an image of an old man on it.

"A New Hope…" he read aloud as Noctis came over to look. "Construction finished today on the First Magitek Production Facility. Rising military star and leading authority on magitek Verstael Besithia has been selected to oversee the plant's operation. Reports say Besithia will relinquish his field duties in order to serve at the compound full-time."

Prompto then looked over at Noctis. "Who the fuck is this dude?"

"I think I heard the name before, but I wasn't really paying attention to that lecture," Noctis said with a shrug.

"Also, look at the date! M.E. 723! That's 12 years before we were even born. Has this place just been abandoned for that long? Or maybe someone's just enjoying reading the old stuff?"

"Don't know. Let's see what else we can find, okay? There's gotta be something else."

They walked around a little more until Prompto found another oddity. This time he picked up an old tape recording. After inspecting that the tape inside was still intact, he showed it to Noctis before deciding to hit play.

"Research log: Year 722, Day 189. I received a proposal regarding a way to improve the infantry's performance by leaps and bounds: outfit the troopers with magitek cores. Preliminary tests suggest sublimating daemons for fuel will result in an unstable infantry unfit for the field. If the calculations he provided are correct, though, this could solve all our problems. The Deathless Project marks the advent of a new age. No longer will our soldiers fall on the field of battle. The empire shall rise, and soon, all the world shall bask in our glory!"

"Geez, you think that's Verstael?" Prompto asked.

"I don't know who else it could be. This guy sounds completely crazy, but if we find more info, it could be useful. Don't really like the sound of that 'Deathless Project' though."

"Do you think it already happened? Considering the date of the log."

Noctis shrugged. "Don't know. Anything else?"

Prompto shook his head. "Not that I can see. Let's try and find a way out of the room."

Moving towards the front of the room, Prompto noticed a panel by the doorway. Humming, he came a bit closer and started to inspect it, seeing if it was something he could easily access. From the looks of it, there was a keypad to the side but above the main panel, there was a light shining down.

"Looks like we may need a keycard," Prompto said aloud for Noctis to hear. "Let me know if you find anything."

Reaching forward, Prompto placed his hand on the device, trying to see if maybe there was a secret panel. If they couldn't find a card, maybe there was a chance he could pop it open and hack into it.

As soon as his hand passed under the light, something flashed and he saw a faint glow from under his jacket. A speaker clicked on overhead and a feminine robotic voice began to talk.

"Scanning production code."

Right away Prompto yanked his wrist back, pressing it to his already rapidly beating heart. His other hand came quickly to cover up the wrist, even though it was still covered by the fabric of the jacket.

"Unit 05953234 confirmed."

"What did you do?!" Noctis asked as he ran over.

"I-I don't know!" Prompto replied quietly. He felt like he should know, given that glow he saw from under the jacket, but he wished he didn't have to think about it.

The metal doors before them slid open suddenly as the voice continued to speak. If Prompto had his gun on him he would have shot the speaker to make it shut up.

"Warning: this unit has been compromised. Initiating retrieval of compromised unit."

"What's it saying?" Noctis asked. "What does it mean by 'compromised unit'?"

"I don't know!" Prompto shouted louder this time.

"Oh, I think I know…" Ardyn's familiar voice rang out. "She still remembers you, after all these years."

The two turned around to see Ardyn standing across the room. Right away Prompto could feel his anger burning within him. It was because of him that all of this was happening.

"What the hell do you want?" Noctis yelled.

Prompto watched as Noctis held out his hand to summon a blade, but strangely nothing happened. Prompto also tried to summon the blade that Noctis had lent to him, but it was all the same. Nothing was coming to him; he couldn't even feel the magic aura from the armiger.

"What gives?" Prompto asked hastily.

"Yeah! What the fuck did you do!" Noctis tried to jump forward, but Prompto was quick to grab him. He wasn't about to let Noctis do something entirely reckless, especially without their weapons.

Ardyn only smiled as he pulled something out of his pocket. The boys gasped, seeing that it was none other than Prompto's own gun. "Ah, but we can't have the two of you spilling blood here, now can we?"

Ardyn took a few steps forward as Noctis and Prompto stepped back. "You know, originally I wished to move things along a little sooner, no thanks to you, dear Noct. But, I figured a small detour wouldn't hurt."

Noctis gritted his teeth, practically growling at the man. "How about you explain what you did! Why can't we summon our weapons!"

"Ah, ah, let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? You still don't even know where you are. This is the First Magitek Production Facility. The birthplace of the myriad magitek troopers and daemons the empire holds dear," Ardyn replied. He then shifted his gaze to grin at Prompto. The look alone was enough to make Prompto's stomach turn. "And to you, this place should have some sentimental value. After all, it is your home sweet home."

"Shut up," Prompto replied, his voice cracking slightly.

"So hostile," Ardyn hummed. "How did you ever get in Noct's favor?"

"How about you leave us alone already and stop calling me that!" Noctis argued. He kept gripping his hand, as if that was going to summon his weapon back to him.

"Yeah just leave! You've caused enough trouble."

"Oh? But I wasn't the one who almost killed you," Ardyn purred.

Prompto felt Noctis yank his arm away from him as he finally charged at Ardyn. He screamed, barreling towards the man. Just as Noctis was closing on, Ardyn moved forward, slamming the gun up against Noctis's stomach.

Prompto stood there, practically frozen as he watched Noctis crumble to the floor, now gripping the gun within his arms. "I think it would be wise if you rested. Would be best to compose yourself before meeting the estimable Chief Besithia."

"Who?" Prompto asked, finally urging his body to move to Noctis's side. "Why the hell would I care about someone like that?"

Ardyn only shook his head. "Oh, how quickly they forget. But fear not: I've no doubt a reunion would refresh your memory. Maybe he could even heal that broken heart of yours. Surely sticking around with the one who hurt you only is making it worse."

Eyeing the gun that was loosely being held by Noctis, Prompto picked it up and pointed it to where he saw Ardyn standing. Though when he did, the man was now gone. No one was there but him and Noctis.

Noctis groaned, holding his stomach as he sat up. "Where'd he go?"

"Don't know…" Prompto said as he lowered his head.

"Don't believe anything he says!" Noctis said abruptly. "I-It wasn't my fault. I didn't know what I was doing before."

Prompto raised his head back up and looked at Noctis's eyes. They were wide, perhaps even on the edge of tears. He knew deep down he could always trust Noctis. They had been best friends for years now, and he always put his best faith into him. Every once in a while, though, he would close his eyes and the flashes of memories would come back.

"I know, Noct."

"I really didn't know it was you. I just heard and saw Ardyn. He did something! Tricking me!" Noctis exhaled sharply as he gripped his hair. "This is all my fault. I screwed it up. All of it!"

"Hey, hey!" Prompto said, placing his hands on Noctis's shoulders. "Calm down first. Gotta take some deep breaths."

Noctis was always there, helping him out of his own panic attacks, and now he saw that he had to step up. He had to take a turn to help his friend.

Prompto breathed in deeply along with Noctis. "You got this, just keep breathing for me, okay?"

Noctis nodded. "Trying to. But we have no weapons, we have nothing. I'm worthless…"

"Oh whoa, hey now. Weren't you the one who was always telling me that I wasn't worthless? Why do you get to tell me I'm not that but then say that you are?"

"Cause I can't do anything right! I messed up everything!"

"You didn't, Noct. You came and saved me. Once you saw something was wrong you came after me and made sure I was okay. That isn't messing anything up. Plus, we have my gun. We aren't totally unarmed, and there's probably something else here we can use, right?"

Noctis stared for what felt like the longest time, but finally he let out a sigh. A small smile crossed his lips as he nodded. "Yeah, you're right. We keep supporting each other."

"Ever at your side," Prompto offered with a smile.

Chapter Text

Together, Noctis and Prompto stepped out of the room, walking deeper into the facility. At first it looked completely empty, not a soul in sight, but as they rounded the corner, they stopped in their tracks. 

An MT was patrolling in the middle of the hallway. Thankfully it hadn't noticed them, and Prompto took the chance to fire three shots of it before the soldier dropped to the ground dead.

"Here," Prompto said as he picked up the MT's gun. "It's better than nothing, right?"

"Yeah," Noctis said. He wasn't going to complain as he took the gun, even if it was his least favorite weapon to use.

The two eventually came to the end of the hallway. The door opened and it led to another long passageway with a large window to the left. They walked over and peered into what the other room was, seeing that it was filled with machines and idle MTs.

There was a quick gasp from Prompto. "Shit… Was he telling the truth about this place?"

"Guess so. But if this place is loaded with MTs, we need to be careful. Last thing we need is for all those things to go active," Noctis replied.

"Right. Yeah, that would be really bad. So note to ourselves, stay away from that room."

Continuing down the hall, Noctis saw shelves lined up before the next door. He moved closer, seeing if there was anything worthwhile there. His eyes soon fell to another tape recorder, just like the one they had found before. 

"Think it's another one from that Verstael guy?" Prompto asked as he came up beside him. 

"Only one way to find out," Noctis said before hitting play. 

"Research log: Year 722, Day 294. I acted on the proposal mentioned in my log of Day 189. My attempts to infuse the troopers’ magitek cores with daemonic energy proved successful. Only in the most basic sense, however. While the soldiers are indeed deathless, they are far from fit for fighting. Thus, I’ve decided to take a different approach: rather than relying on daemons to power the magitek infantry, why not use humans instead? Frankly, I had never considered employing my fellow man in any magitek related experiments. But countless men and women succumb to the plasmodia each day. Rather than let them die victims of an ignominious disease, why not help them ascend to nobler heights? I’ve lost many a comrade on the field of battle, and I’ve no intention of allowing any more of their deaths to go in vain."

Prompto and Noctis waited a few moments after the tape ending, letting the sound die down around them. It was so quiet in th at moment they practically could hear each other breathing.

"How could he even think of using those innocent people for his twisted experiments?" Prompto asked, finally breaking the silence. 

Noctis shook his head. "I don't know… but it's really sick."

Noctis didn't want to say it aloud, but he had a feeling they were going to find more tapes. The more tapes they found, the more of Verstael Besithia would be revealed. That was something Noctis wasn't sure they would be ready for, he could already tell Prompto was really off put by the entire concept of what the crazed man had done.

"Come on, let's keep going," Noctis said as he nudged Prompto along.

In the next hallway, another MT came walking down from another direction. Both boys ducked behind a small area that would hide them both. 

"Can’t let them find us. We need to try and sneak up on it," Prompto stated.

"So what do you suggest?" 

"I'll go for a stealth-kill."

"You sure?"

Prompto gave a nod. "Yeah. You know I got this."

Noctis smiled at Prompto's returning optimistic attitude. "I know you do. Alright. I'll wait, you go."

Prompto snuck ahead, turning the corner after the MT. There was a moment where Noctis held his breath until he heard the metal crash to the floor. 

Prompto came back around the bend and waved for Noctis to follow. "Got another gun. Submachine gun is pretty good."

"Of course you know your guns." Noctis laughed softly. 

"Yeah, but none are as great as these guns," Prompto said as he pumped his muscles. 

Noctis couldn't help but let out a louder laugh. Even in the toughest situations, Prompto could truly find a shining light in anything. He could find a way to make others smile and laugh, and right now Noctis knew the two of them needed it.

Suddenly, Prompto moved closer to a bench and picked up something. "Okay… this is getting weird. Do you think Ardyn is just laying these out for us?"

"Why do you think he'd do that?"

"Cause why else would a high ranking scientist dude just leave his very important research logs scattered throughout this place?" Prompto asked. "Doesn't make much sense for him to be messy when he was able to make MTs and stuff…"

"We can figure out the how of it later, but what's this one got for us?"

With a press of the button, the two listened carefully for what would be said. Soon enough, Verstael Besithia's voice was heard, crackling through.

"Research log: Year 722, Day 339. Another day, another mental breakdown. All my tests so far have resulted in the former soldiers suffering ego deaths. Today, however, I developed a new hypothesis: I will continue to sublimate daemonified humans to harvest the miasma, but, if a sense of self is the source of these snags, why not inject infants with the plasmodia instead? We’ve little time. If we are to combat the Lucian threat, we must explore new options. I, too, will set aside my personal misgivings and do what I must for the empire."

Noctis could see Prompto growing paler throughout the entire log. "What kind of a maniac experiments on kids?"

"The kind that decided experimenting with daemons is a good idea," Noctis replied.

"It's just sick! This guy is totally sick."

Noctis placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder, hoping it was enough to calm him. "Ready to keep going?"

"Yeah, the sooner we're out of here the better. Everything about this place gives me the creeps."

"You can say that again."

Moving forward, they took out any MTs that they happened to run across. They moved further through the hallways and rooms, both of them keeping an eye out for anything that could get the jump on them. 

They even cleared out a larger room that had been filled with different ranks of MTs. While tiresome, it did supply them with more gun types to pick from. They made sure to gather up as many grenades as they could and distributed them between the two of them. 

When they got to the end of yet another long corridor, they walked up and opened the sliding doors, and this time it led outside. A gush of cold air rushed in to meet them, followed by the bright light that reflected off the snow.

“Guess we're getting somewhere now, right?” Prompto asked. 

“Somewhere at least. Come on.” 

As they walked down the snowy cliffside path, Prompto slowed down to look at the mountain range. He sighed as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Wish I could get my camera out… this is probably one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.”

“Yeah,” Noctis agreed. “It’s really nice. Maybe we can find whatever is causing the armiger to be inaccessible. You should get those pictures whenever you want.”

“Despite this being, well, you know Niflheim, this view makes everything feel at least a little better.”

Noctis could agree with that. There was something rather tranquil about the snow covered mountains that seemed to stretch on for miles. If there wasn’t a need to escape and find their way to Ignis and Gladio, he knew he wouldn’t mind sitting here to watch the view with Prompto. 

But, like with everything else they had done, they needed to move on. The pathway led to another building, with the sliding door opening up to yet again another passway that was just as long as the last. Though, when they reached the end of this one, they entered a room that looked like a lounge. 

"Well, looks like we can relax here a bit. And look!” Prompto pointed to the corner of the room. “Why does the Empire seem to have Ebony vending machines in every hallway and room? I swear I saw like, seven back in the other section.”

“Better not let Ignis know, or he'll raid the entire place,” Noctis commented with a chuckled. A short pang hit his heart afterwards, knowing Ignis wasn’t there to make a comment about his joke. 

Thankfully, Prompto nudged him in the arm, pulling him from the sad thoughts. “Come on, I bet there's more weird crap for us to find here.”

“Yeah, let’s see what there is.”

As they walked further into the room, the first thing Noctis noticed was a large document on one of the benches. Looking at it, it talked about how the different types of MTs were marked, with two different types of barcodes. 

“Huh, so they all have barcodes?” Noctis asked aloud. “Never noticed before.”

“A-Ah, yeah? Guess it’s not something you look for.”

There was something off about his tone. Something that wasn’t Prompto’s usual resolve. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he kept it in the back of his mind.

"What else do we have here?" Prompto asked quickly as he moved about the room. "Some more research stuff? Books and notebooks?"

"Seems like it," Noctis said as he looked on one of the shelfs. "And hey, another tape recording."

"Geez, what's the creep going to say this time?"

"Research log: Year 723, Day 70. I pondered how I might find the necessary number of infants, and then it dawned on me: why not make them myself? If I clone them from my own genes, I can eliminate the pesky process of breeding them. Mass production remains a pipe dream for now, but I’m confident I can create a massive infantry once the process picks up. If everything goes according to plan, the empire will boast a million-man army in no time at all."

Prompto placed a hand over his mouth. "All this time, those things we've been fighting have been…"

Noctis swallowed heavily. "That's… is he really that demented? He would do that to himself?"

"At this point we shouldn't put anything up for questioning about this guy. He's clearly insane!" Prompto exclaimed. 

"If this guy is still alive, we're going to have to make sure he won't do crap like this ever again!" Noctis stated firmly as he placed the tape down.

After a little more looking around the room, Noctis saw Prompto huddled down by some boxes, another tape recorder in his hands.

"Another one?" Noctis asked as he squatted down next to his friend. 

"Yeah."

"Going to play it?"

Prompto opened his mouth, hesitating slightly. "I'm afraid of what horrifying thing we'll learn next."

Reaching over, Noctis placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "Whatever he says, we will find a way to move on. We've already come this far."

"You're right. Should just get this over with," Prompto said as he clicked the button.

"Research log: Year 736, Day 123. It seems my laboratory is not nearly as secure as I once believed. Some thief―likely a Lucian―made off with one of my experiments. Absconding with a single infant will do nothing to enlighten them of the grandeur of my research. That said, I will see to it such an incident never arises again. I’ve posted magitek troopers around the facility and instructed them to keep a vigilant watch. It is their home, after all."

Prompto dropped the tape recorder out of his hands, his face pale and eyes wide. "The kingdom k-kidnapped one of those infants?"

"Prompto?" Noctis asked, trying to get his attention. "Prom? What's wrong?"

"No way… there's just no way…"

"Prom!" Noctis shouted. He could see that Prompto was falling into another panic attack. He wasn't about to let his friend suffer again, even if he didn't understand the reason.

Placing one hand on his back, the other titled Prompto's face towards him. "Hey, stay with me, okay? Deep breaths. Count with me, okay?"

Prompto nodded as his eyes began to water. "I-I'll try."

"Okay, ready? One… two… three?"

Prompto breathed and counted with him, and eventually his breath slowed down to normal. He sighed as he slumped against the boxes, staring down at the floor. 

"Thanks, Noct. It helped."

"You know I'll always be there to help, but what was that about?"

Prompto fidgeted slightly and wrapped a hand around his wrist. It was always a nervous tick he had, even all the way back in high school. Reaching over, Noctis placed a hand on top of Prompto’s, causing him to flinch and yank his arm back. 

“S-Sorry. I just… that last one. I don’t like it.”

“Why not? Come on Prom, you know you can tell me whatever it is.”

Prompto shook his head. “I don’t… don’t think I can.”

“Why not? Can’t you trust me?”

Prompto lowered his head. “I don’t want you to hate me.”

“Prompto…” Noctis reached out, placing his hand on Prompto’s face. Slowly, he looked up to meet Noctis in the eyes. “You know I’d never hate you. You’re the best friend I got. No matter what it is, I’ll be here.”

“Promise?”

“I’ll chocobo promise, how’s that?”

He managed to get a small laugh from Prompto. “Okay… yeah. I’ll tell you. Just please, listen to me first.”

Slowly Prompto reached out to grab onto his right sleeve. He then breathed in before he started yanking the fabric back. When he stopped, Noctis looked down and saw what usually was always covered up by wristbands or bandanas. It was a barcode. One that was strikingly similar to the ones shown in the infographic for labeling the different MTs. 

“Prompto? This is…?”

“I swear Noct, I never knew!” Prompto shouted frantically. “I never knew any of this. All I knew was that I was adopted, most likely a Niflheim refugee. I was told to keep the barcode covered and to never let anyone know about it. But even I didn’t know! I was in the dark my whole life, wondering what it meant! Now I know I’m just a fucking experiment!”

Noctis’s heart ached as he saw Prompto on the verge of breaking down. Honestly, he didn’t care about the barcode or Prompto’s origins. Prompto was just Prompto, and that was what mattered to him. He only hoped he could get that through to him and help him understand.

“That doesn’t matter to me. You’re more than that. You’re better than that. You’re Prompto.”

“Yeah, Prompto who was going to become a stupid fucking MT that you would have murdered without a second glance.”

“Prom. Don’t be like that. You got lucky. You were saved.”

“But I’m still… I’m just…”

“You are just Prompto,” Noctis said firmly. “You are Prompto and that’s all that matters.”

There was a small sniffle that escaped Prompto. “Even if… I was meant to be-”

“You weren’t meant to be an MT. You were saved so you could be Prompto. That’s who you were and are meant to be: Prompto.”

Prompto exhaled sharply. “So you’re not mad? Mad that I’m actually from Niflheim?”

“No, I’m not. It doesn’t matter where you came from. I just lo-,” the words twisted up in his mouth. 

He came so close to saying the truth, he hadn’t even realized it. He wanted to make sure Prompto knew he was cared for and loved though. He wanted to let Prompto know that he would still be loved no matter what they discovered about him. 

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to express himself here… just a little, at least. 

“I love you the way you are, Prom. I wouldn’t trade you for anything in all of Eos.”

“R-Really?” 

“Really, I wouldn't. You were the first person to treat me as a friend. You just treated me as Noct, not Prince Noctis or Your Highness. I was just Noct to you, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it.”

With a loud sob, Prompto latched onto Noctis. He could feel Prompto shaking in his arms, but he held on as tightly as he could. Resting his head against Prompto’s, he breathed in slowly and deeply, hoping Prompto would hear it and soon follow after. 

“Thanks, Noct. I really needed to hear that,” Prompto whispered. 

“Of course. Like you always say, ever at your side.”

Chapter Text

With Prompto finally calming down, the two were able to continue their way through the facility. There were still plenty more MTs that kept showing up, but there wasn't any hesitation between them as they shot down the machines. Prompto had said the MTs were once clones… the thought of that did linger in the back of Noctis's mind though … clones that would have probably looked just like Prompto.

He tried to shake the thoughts from his head. He couldn't dwell on it now-it was far from the time. There would have to be a later time for it, once they were free from this place and could have a proper, well-deserved rest.

Overhead the automated voice would sometimes click on, saying to 'commence elimination of compromised unit.' Sometimes Noctis just wanted to rip the speakers from the walls when he heard that. Prompto was not a unit. Prompto wasn't anything that this facility tried to imply, and there was no way Noctis was going to let anything more happen to him.

When they came to a large open room, they could see that there were several MTs roaming about within it. They waited by the door, catching their breath before making any further decisions.

"Ready? Looks like they have some other guns on the racks here. Would be good to get some or find ammo to reload," Prompto said.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan."

Together they overwhelmed the MTs and cleared the room in no time. Now it was just them and the large room. Across the way there was a large circular door, and as they approached, Noctis saw that it had a control panel similar to the one that had been back at the start of the facility where they initially woke up. Noctis watched as Prompto stepped towards it slowly, gripping his wrist. He hummed as he stepped towards his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay."

Prompto exhaled sharply. "Guess we should say we're lucky. I'm a walking keycard."

"Prom, come on, don't be like that."

"Sorry… I'm still trying to wrap my head around it," Prompto said as he extended his arm out for the control panel to scan his code.

With a few beeps the signal on the panel glowed green and the door unlocked. Noctis tried again to comfort Prompto, this time rubbing his back lightly. He could feel the tension in Prompto's shoulders loosen slightly, and it did make him feel a bit better that his help was reaching him.

"Just talk to me if you want."

Prompto nodded. "I know. Thanks."

Moving forward, they started their walk down the ramp to wherever the new passageway led. Everything was quiet between them until they entered the next room. What Noctis saw made him feel sick to his stomach, and he could only imagine how Prompto must have been feeling. The sight wasn't easy to look at, yet Noctis found himself unable to take his eyes away from it.

Lining the room were several large glass cylinders, and each had a still life adult body, with some of the tubes containing ones that looked slighter older than the others. The younger ones, though, were the ones that shook Noctis's core, seeing as their faces bore a stark resemblance to Prompto's.

Finally, he managed to turn his head to the side to see Prompto. He could hear his breathing rapidly increasing again. Noctis tried to reach out his hand like before, but this time Prompto flinched and stepped back, his eyes still fixated on the tubes.

"How could he do that? Who… What am I?"

"You're Prompto, remember? You'll always be Prompto," he said, trying to be reassuring. He wanted to give that to Prompto, but even he wasn't sure how to handle this. How was he to handle an identity crisis that didn't even belong to him?

"Then what the hell is that!" Prompto shouted as he pointed to the closest tube. "If I'm Prompto then what is that there?!"

"I don't… I don't know," Noctis said as he lowered his head.

"I could have been that… they could have been me. I'm really no different," Prompto muttered as he dropped to his knees.

"No! That isn't true!" Noctis argued, this time going closer to Prompto and holding him close again. "Remember what I just said before? About you being Prompto? That still is true, no matter what we're seeing here."

"But look at them," Prompto whispered. "They're all just… dead. He killed them. Ended their lives without even giving them a chance to live. So many are MTs… but how many died, Noct? How many of them died before they could live?"

Noctis held Prompto a little closer, running his hand down his back. "I don't have the answers, Prom. I can't… I don't know how to answer this. But you were still saved. You got a chance at life, and it… it may suck that the others didn't… but you lived, Prompto. Doesn't that matter?"

"It… I guess so. Just seeing that, it's unnerving," Prompto said, ducking his head down.

Noctis hummed in agreement. "Yeah… wanna get moving then? The sooner out of this room the better?"

Prompto nodded slightly. "Hm… yes please."

Noctis stood up first before reaching out to Prompto, helping him up. He could still see that Prompto looked shaken, his eyes now averted to the floor so he didn't have to look at the tubes. Noctis kept one hand on his back as he led him across the room to a small set of stairs. As they stepped up it, they came face to face with a large glass window that peered into another room.

Noctis saw that Prompto was fixated on the large machine in the center of the room. It too had tubes that were filled with clones, but this felt different than the ones just behind them. But what bothered Noctis the most was that he saw two figures standing in that other room, and one of them looked very familiar.

"Deep breaths…" Prompto muttered to himself.

"I should probably do that too… can't be level minded if I let my anger get to me again like back on the train," Noctis thought to himself as they crept closer to the glass.

As they did, ducking down as to not be seen, they could hear Ardyn talking to the other man, who from the back Noctis figured had to be Verstael Besithia.

"Now, my friend, do you recall the child who was stolen from this facility?" Ardyn asked.

"The one those Lucians absconded with?"

"Precisely. I thought you might like to see the fine young man he's become these twenty-odd years later. So, as thanks for bringing your pets to Insomnia, I've brought the boy to you, as well as the prince, who seems to have taken a special liking to him."

Noctis tried his hardest not to smash through that glass and tackle Ardyn to the floor. He needed to remain calm… at least until he could sneak behind Ardyn and stab him in the back. But for now… he told his mind and heart to be calm.

Ardyn then turned around and faced the glass, grinning as if he could actually see the two boys. "The time has come to meet your maker. Any questions for daddy dearest? Father and son! Oh, how I love bringing families together."

"No… It's not true. You're wrong, dammit!" Prompto hissed quietly.

"Oh, and let's not forget the most important thing. Not only will this be a touching reunion of father and son, but also father meeting the boyfriend."

Noctis felt his heart freeze, ice stabbing right through the center. He could barely make himself look at Prompto, desperately not wanting to see his reaction, yet at the same time, deeply craving to know. He wanted to know if Prompto felt the same… or was disgusted by such a thing. In all honesty, he knew they couldn't trust Ardyn, so if anything, Prompto would only think of it all as a lie.

Suddenly, Prompto grabbed his wrist and started to pull him. "Come on. Let's get down to the end of the hall. There's a room there, I think."

They made it down, revealing that the room was a small lounge-like room like they had been in before. Prompto slammed the door behind them before he sighed, staggered over to the couch, and let go of Noctis's hand in the process.

"Don't worry, Noct. I don't care what he says. I'm thinking better now and I know this place will never be my home. My 'home' is in Lucis… not here."

Noctis managed a smile as he moved to sit down next to Prompto. "Good. Ardyn says a lot of shit and we don't have to trust a word he says anymore."

"Yeah… he's just trying to mess with us."

"Totally. He's just messing with us," Noctis breathed out slowly, knowing he could be digging his own grave with this.

If Prompto decided that anything Ardyn said was false, then that small jab about a boyfriend could very well fall into that category. Then Noctis knew that would mean a chance with Prompto would be completely out of the picture for sure. There wouldn't be any coming back from that.

"Even that last part?" Prompto asked softly.

"Huh? What?"

"That last part he said… it made you tense up and it looked like you were glaring so hard at the glass that you could have melted it with heat vision or something."

"Was I really staring that hard?"

Noctis cleared this throat. "I don't… uh, I'm not sure what I was doing."

"Noct, he wasn't… serious was he? He's messing with us by playing without emotions, right? But that last part wouldn't make any sense to say out of the blue, unless…"

"Do we have to talk about this right now?" Noctis replied quickly. "We can't just hide out here when Ardyn and Verstael are right outside that other door."

After giving a long, quiet stare, Prompto stood up and headed to the other door. "Stay here. I'll go ahead."

"What? No way! I can't just let you go alone."

Prompto cracked the door open slightly and pressed his face against it. "It's just Verstael out there. Ardyn isn't there anymore. I'll go… go and confront him."

"And I'll come with," Noctis insisted.

Prompto shook his head. "No. Let me do this on my own, Noct. This guy… he's my… I just need to deal with him alone."

"And what if something happens?"

"Then you can come and do your 'prince rescue,' but right now, let me do this. Please."

Noctis gave in, sighing and nodded his head. "Okay, just be careful talking to him."

Prompto offered a small smile. "I'll do my best."

As Prompto stepped out into the room, Noctis took a step close to the door so he could watch. Prompto was hesitant at first, nearing the man, but that didn't even seem to phase Verstael.

"What's the matter? Have you never seen a man turn before?" Verstael asked, turning around completely, revealing that half of his face was daemonified. "If those Lucians hadn't intervened, you could have turned, too."

"Why me?" Prompto asked.

"Because you were cloned from this genius's genes, born of my own flesh and blood. You are but one of millions created to serve our great empire in the magitek infantry."

Noctis gritted his teeth. "Don't believe him, Prompto. He's full of shit."

"Created…to serve you?"

"Yes… and now you've finally come home to Niflheim, my son."

Noctis watched as Prompto pointed his gun up in the air and fired off a shot. "Shut up!"

He breathed in and out for a moment before hanging his hand and lowering the gun to his side. "You're wrong… I'm a Lucian! I am not one of your experiments!"

Noctis smiled proudly, seeing the inner strength that he knew Prompto had, but then Verstael started walking towards Prompto.

"Not anymore. Now, you're nothing but a failure. I ought to return you whence you came. Perhaps then you might serve some useful purpose."

Prompto remained frozen where he was as Verstael came right up to him, reaching a hand out. "Never! I'll never serve you!"

Verstael only laughed. "With your help, my ascension to divinity is now all but complete."

The old man reached out to Prompto, grabbing a shoulder, smiling all the more sinisterly. Noctis was now gripping the door tightly as he watched. He was ready to barge in there and rip Verstael clean off Prompto, but he reminded himself to trust Prompto. He had to let Prompto handle this… but it was getting too close to call at this point.

"Soon, neither the kings of Lucis nor the gods themselves will be able to challenge my reign!" Verstael shouted as he started to reach for Prompto's face with his other hand.

Just as Noctis was ready to go and help, Prompto screamed and raised his gun, pointing it directly into Verstael's face.

He fired less than a second later.

Verstael let out a weak groan before staggering and falling onto his back. There was a moment of silence before Prompto dropped his gun and fell to his knees. Now was the time that Noctis finally swung the door open and ran over to his best friend. He kneeled down beside him, seeing that tears were streaming down his freckled face.

"Prom? You okay?"

"I… I killed… I've n-never had to…" he said with heavy breathes.

Before Noctis could say anything else, the speakers overhead clicked on and an extremely over dramatic gasp was heard from Ardyn. "Look what you've done. You've gone homicidal! No, patricidal!"

"N-No," Prompto said weakly.

"Don't listen, Prom! He's just trying to mess with you again!" Noctis urged.

"You lose half of your friends and murder your family. Who's to stop you from going further until you're all alone? What or who will be next? Your own dear prince? Who's to stop you from committing regicide?"

"Shut up" Prompto shouted.

Ardyn only laughed, the sinister cackling echoing in the room as if it were multiplying.

Prompto began to beat the floor, his face distraught with emotions. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

"Prom, hey!" Noctis shouted as he grabbed onto Prompto's hand, preventing him from doing it any further.

Prompto shook and sobbed again as he gripped onto Noctis's jacket. "S-Sorry…"

"Don't be. Ardyn is an ass."

Now that Ardyn was done speaking, this time the automated voice clicked on. "Vital functions decreasing. Plasmodium index activity increasing."

Verstael's body before them was vanishing into wisps of dark smoke, leaving nothing but his clothing behind. Noctis had a sinking feeling about all of this ever since he saw Verstael's face, but now this seemed to be growing worse by the second.

"Daemonification complete. Initiating transfer to Unit XDA-1002: Immortalis."

The two of them watched as the lights into the room turned to red and the large machine before them started to move. It shook the entire room, cracking the walls and the floor around them. Without even having a moment to react, the ceiling came down right near them, followed by an impaled iron Giant, and standing on top of it was someone neither boy expected to see.

"You two like playing hard to get or something?" Aranea asked as she hopped down from the daemon corpse.

"Aranea…" Prompto muttered.

"Save it, Blondie. On your feet! Both of you."

"Come on, let's stand up," Noctis advised as he put an arm around Prompto's waist.

Prompto shakily stood up, falling into Noctis slightly before grounding his feet. Aranea on the other hand was looking at a nearby countertop, muttering something about a new model. She then faced the boys and put her hands on her hips.

"I dunno what's got Blondie so shook, but you two can deal with it later. Let's move."

"You good?" Noctis asked and he got a weak nod from Prompto.

"Listen," Aranea said as she marched over. "Mope later. Right now focus on living. Otherwise lose your will to live, and you lose all hope of me helping your sorry ass. Got it?"

Prompto nodded again, this time standing up straight on his own. With the automated voice once again going on about capturing a target and retrieving a compromised unit, the three of them prepared their weapons as daemons and MTs started to flood into the room. There was only one way out of this place, and that would be by following Aranea. Noctis still had no idea how or why she was here, but he wasn't going to stop to ask questions now. All that mattered in this moment was escaping.

Chapter Text

With the cold air rushing against his face, Noctis tried his hardest to keep an eye out where they were heading. Prompto was the one driving the snowmobile, so Noctis tried to help lookout for anything firing at them. There were plenty of MTs and barricades along the path, and it seemed Prompto was focused on steering them through a clear path. 

“Where are we headed?” Prompto shouted over the roaring winds. “What does the map say?”

After Aranea had come to help them, it wasn’t long before they had been separated. They had only run down a set of stairs before she shoved a map at them and told them to go off without her. They left her behind to fight the daemons, driving out on the snowmobile as fast as it would go. Though Noctis wished they could have stayed back and helped, he knew how capable that woman was and knew that she would be fine and find them later. 

“You’ll wanna head north, I think. I can’t really read it with the wind! So I’d say just keep heading down the mountain,” Noctis said. 

“Go down the mountain? No shit, looks like that’s all we can do,” Prompto said as he weaved his way down the mountainside. 

Explosions went off behind them, nearly trailing them. The trek down the mountain was far from easy, but Noctis trusted Prompto to drive them safely away from all the chaos. It was still terrifying with every explosion that went off… every small cliff Prompto drove off. Every little thing sent Noctis’s heart racing, so far from certain what the outcome would be. 

After they passed under some rocky arches, the explosions around them grew closer. They practically were going off right beside them even as they kept driving forward. Then, just as they neared another ledge, one explosion nearly hit them from behind, sending the boys airborne. The startling shock of it even caused Prompto to let go of the snowmobile. Their only mode of transportation plummeted down to the area below, with them following after. 

For a few seconds Noctis felt weightlessness before he and Prompto tumbled down to the snowy ground. Noctis groaned, thankful that the snow was light and plentiful, but it still hurt pretty bad. 

He saw Prompto grunt and roll slowly onto his back. “We’ll catch ya later, Aranea…”

“Prom… you okay?” Noctis asked as he tried to push himself to his feet. His body and muscles fussed at him, burning and back aching, but he persisted. 

“Fine… Just feeling a bit ‘ugh’, I guess. And you?” Prompto replied as he got himself to his feet. 

“About the same. But we can at least take a moment to check the map in peace,” Noctis said as he looked up at the cliffside they had fallen from. “Doesn’t look like they're attacking anymore.”

“But we shouldn’t wait to find out.”

“Right, yeah, so let me check the map,” Noctis replied as he pulled the map out of his jacket pocket. They looked at it and where Aranea had marked them to go, and it seemed it was only a little bit northwest of where they stood. There was a haven labeled as Deratom Haven , surprising both of them that havens were even anywhere in Gralea. 

Together they pushed the snowmobile upright and got back on it. Prompto revved up the engine and they were off once more, heading towards the location at a much calmer and slower pace. At least now they didn’t have to worry about too many boulders, dense trees or rocky arches. 

Out on the lower valley, it seemed much more open, and before Noctis knew it they arrived at the haven. It was within a cave entrance at the bottom of one of the mountains. It was a strange place for a haven for sure, but Noctis wasn’t going to question it. It was a place to warm up and hide from the snow, and that was all they needed. 

“Come on, let’s get that fire started,” Noctis said as he walked forward, up towards the entrance. 

“Yeah, a cozy fire sounds good right about now.”

Just as expected, there was a special haven fire pit set up within the cave. The faint glow of blue magic flowing around it, proving that it was a legit setup. Noctis was quick to light the sticks that were already in the pit, and the fire was soon roaring and crackling before them. 

Finally they could just sit down and relax. 

“Man… that was something, wasn’t it?” Prompto asked as he flopped down next to Noctis. 

“It really was. But hey, we survived, and here we are.”

Nodding, Prompto pulled out one of the few food items they had. Much to Noctis’s dismay it just so happened to be a can of beans. 

"Guess this is all we got. You won't go and destroy it now, will you?" 

Noctis managed a small laugh before he pulled out his own can. "Nah, I'm not that anti-bean. I'll manage somehow."

Before long they had the cans open and cooked from the heat of the fire, slowly eating the content inside.. Noctis knew that they had already gone through so much in such little time, so a little silence between them shouldn’t have surprised him. But every passing second was still rather dreadful. 

He wanted to say something. Something he felt could help break the ice between them, anything to make it feel like normal again. 

Then Prompto spoke first, giving a weak chuckle. “Almost as good as what Iggy used to make, right?”

“Y-Yeah,” Noctis replied, his mouth feeling dry.The sting of what had happened to Ignis in Altissia still burnt in his mind. “But nothing replaces his stuff… or could’ve.”

“Agreed there,” Prompto said as he set the can down next to him. He let out a long sigh, looking down at the ground. “It’s been quiet, at least. No MTs or crazy machines to bother us out here.”

Noctis set down his can and rested his arms on his knees. “Yeah, it’s nice for that.”

A moment passed again and neither of them spoke. The fire flickered on, and it made Noctis’s heart race with anxiety. Finally, he stood up and looked out to the land beyond the cave. “I’ll, uh, I’m going to grab some more sticks. We may need some more soon. You… Are you going to be alright?”

“Hm, yeah, I should be fine. Not like I’d go anywhere or anything,” Prompto replied. “But you’ll be safe? You got your light?”

Noctis nodded as he clicked it to his jacket. “Yeah, I’ll only be gone a few minutes.”

With just a nod from Prompto, Noctis briskly walked out of the cave. A clump of trees wasn’t too far off from the entrance, so he knew it wouldn’t be too terrible if daemons decided to show up. But as he walked, it all seemed rather quiet and vacant of any daemonic life. He just hoped it would stay that way as he gathered sticks. 

‘What am I going to say to Prompto? How do I even handle a subject like this?’ he wondered to himself as he picked up fallen branches. ‘In less than two hours he learned he was a clone, could have been an MT, and killed the man who created him. That’s just like 100 levels of fucked up.’

Wandering a bit further, he saw a few more good-sized branches that would be suitable for firewood. Of course all of what he was gathering would have to dry out first, but it was better than letting the fire burn out on them halfway through the night. 

Lasting the entire night in a cold cave wasn’t on his to-do list, but there was no other choice at this point. It was either there or attempt to head back to that facility, and that was already out of the question. If Noctis could avoid having Prompto go back there forever, then he would do so. 

‘I gotta just try and say something… Anything to help him overcome what he could be thinking. I’ll give it a shot.’

As Noctis headed back to the cave, he looked to make sure Prompto was still there. He was in fact still sitting there, but as Noctis neared, he dropped the pile of wood from his hands. Prompto sat right next to the fire as expected, but he was now holding one of the burning sticks from the fire pit over his wrist. 

“Prompto!” Noctis shouted as he ran over and grabbed the stick, then tossed it as far as he could. He then snatched both of Prompto’s wrists and had him look at him. “What the hell were you thinking?!”

He could see Prompto looking at him with the widest eyes, full of fear and misery. “I… I’m branded for life, Noct. I thought maybe I could just-”

“No way is that ever the answer. I don’t ever want to see you attempting to harm yourself, you hear me?” Noctis said. His voice was already sounding weak and shaky, but he didn’t care. He had to say what he knew needed to be said. 

“But, Noct… I’m just-”

“Hey, remember what I said? The thing about being just Prompto? ‘Cause that’s exactly what you still are.”

Slowly, Noctis let go of Prompto’s wrists, moving forward to hold him tightly. He brought his face closer to Prompto’s ear, neary brushing up against the hair that stuck out of the winter cap. If now was the time to reach out to help Prompto, then he had to try. He had to man up, push away all of that anxiety eating away at him, and help his best friend. 

“Barcode or not, I still care about you. You could have anything on your wrist: barcode, a smiley face, something completely vulgar, and wouldn’t care.”

“Even if I’m a woulda-been MT?” 

“Remember what I told you back at the facility? When you first showed me your barcode? What did I chocobo promise you?”

There was a pause, with only the deep breaths of the boys being heard. 

Then Prompto spoke once more. “You promised you’d never hate me.”

“Exactly. So why should that change now? I’ll always keep my promise to you, Prompto.”

Feeling Prompto’s arms wrapped around his back, Noctis figured he must have said something right. He decided to finally take it a few steps further. “And remember our rooftop talk? All the stuff we talked about?”

“Yeah… You still listened to me as I opened up about my insecurities. You still told me I was good enough, that I didn’t have to prove anything. So, yeah… guess you have a point there.”

“I’m glad. Just talk to me, okay? If you start feeling like that again… you know, with the stick and all?”

He felt Prompto nodding. “Yeah, I can try to. Sorry I worried you, I don’t even know what I was thinking.”

With one hand, Noctis reached up to slowly stroke Prompto’s head. “It’s okay. It’s over and it won’t happen again. But, uh, you know I care for you.”

There was a small chuckle. “Yeah, dude, I know.”

“No, I mean, like, I really care for you.”

Pulling away from Noctis’s hold, Prompto stared at him. “Is this what Ardyn was taunting about?”

Noctis nodded slowly. “It was. I thought it would be better to do it now than later at this point, since we are just getting things out in the open.”

“And he was telling the truth? How would he even know something like that?”

“I don’t know how the hell he could have found out, but it’s true. I really do feel that way, liking you in that way.”

“Since when?”

“I don’t know exactly when. It took me jumping off the train to realize that I had felt this way. But if I had to pinpoint, I’d say high school? As soon as you ran up to me, hit me on the shoulder and smiled as you introduced yourself.”

Prompto gasped. “Dude, that was, like, five years ago.”

Noctis sunk a little, his eyes shifting away and his shoulders lowering. “It was five years ago, but I think that’s where it really started. Even if I was in denial all those years up until now, you were special. You just… You opened up a side of me that I never knew existed. You helped me to smile more, to laugh and have fun. You were, and still are, just so adorable I couldn’t understand how lucky I was. Even if I didn’t think I could ever tell you, I wanted to keep being with you.”

“You think I’m adorable?” Prompto gawked. 

Noctis was able to manage a laugh from that, lifting his gaze back to Prompto. “That’s what you picked up on?”

“Other than the fact that apparently you denied yourself feelings of love for five years until you jumped off a freaking moving train? Yeah, that’s what I picked up on!”

“Well, it is true. I really like you, Prompto. Like you so much that it happens to be love. It’s… It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way. I went this long without it, I can keep going after this. Just thought it would be good to finally say it.”

“I guess we are both kind of stupid.”

Noctis tilted his head, not reading Prompto’s odd smile he now wore. “What?”

“We’re both so stupid to think the other could never love us, putting ourselves in denial all this time,” Prompto said, his voice thick with irony. 

“Wait, you mean that you… You’re…?”

“Yup. I love you too, Noctis, only I’ve actually known my feelings from the start.”

“And what would your start be?”

Prompto’s cheeks redden. “Since our first day of high school.”

“And you were going to criticize me for falling in love five years ago?” Noctis snorted. 

“No! Just didn’t expect it to start for the both of us back then. It’s a lot, okay? Just trying to process this. We love each other, and somehow Ardyn found out and wanted to taunt us. But wait, uh… what does this mean for Luna? I thought you were excited for the, um, you know.”

Noctis hummed for a moment, thinking of how he was going to phrase it. He didn’t want it to come off too harshly, but he wanted to be honest about it. 

“It was a political marriage forced by the Empire. Neither Luna or I had a say in it, and I just tried to fake being okay with it. It was what everyone was expecting, but not what I was feeling.”

“And Luna herself?”

“We only chatted through letters for years. Hadn’t seen her since I was eight. So if anything, she felt like an old pen pal or something. Just a really good, old friend. I still cared for her deep, just not the same feeling that I have for you. If that even makes sense.”

“Nah, I get it. You still cared, but just weren’t in love, and being forced to marry wasn’t helping the cause.”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

After that they were met with silence again, both of them staring at each other for a moment only to drift off to the floor or ceiling of the cave. The feelings were out in the open, but now Noctis was at a total loss at what to do. He hadn’t expected any of this, not for Prompto to be understanding or even return an ounce of his feelings. 

“So, now what?” he finally asked. 

“I dunno?” Prompto shrugged. “What do you do once you open up and confess to the love of your life?”

Suddenly, an absurd thought came to Noctis’s head. It made him laugh. “You know what I just thought?”

“What?”

“In those cheesy romance books Gladio reads, what do the two lovers do after they’ve confessed their love to one another?”

“Dude, how in Eos should I know that? I always try to tune him out when he starts rambling about those things. Don’t tell me you actually listen!”

There was a small shrug from Noctis. “Sometimes I end up remembering bits and pieces.”

“So what do they do then? When the lovers confess?”

“They, um… they kiss.”

"And you want to… do that?"

Noctis could already feel his cheeks burning. The sheer thought of getting to kiss Prompto ignited a spark in his heart. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss, or more specifically to kiss Prompto. 

“Should we kiss? Right now?” Noctis said, breathing out slowly. “I mean, I’m okay to try it, if you want to try?”

“U-Um, we could try?” Prompto replied as he leaned in closer. 

Noctis leaned in as well, bringing himself close enough so that he was brushing his nose against Prompto's. Prompto’s breath tickled against his cheeks, making his body shudder with a newfound feeling of nervousness mixed with a little excitement. 

But he couldn’t pull himself to go for the kiss. He didn’t know if it was fear stopping him, or more likely the fact he didn’t even know what he was doing. 

“Is there a way you’re supposed to kiss?” Noctis muttered. 

“Don’t ask me, I wouldn’t know. It should just be as simple as putting our lips together? Like the movies?”

“The movies always make it look super easy.”

Prompto chuckled. “Yeah, you got a point, there. So, um, go do that, then?”

“M-Maybe,” Noctis said hesitantly. “Or maybe we can wait? Wait ‘til we have time to think about it?”

Prompto leaned back and sighed. “Guess we don’t wanna just rush into it or something? In case we make a mistake?”

“N-No, don’t think of it like that! I just… I think if I want us to have a first kiss, it should be somewhere better than a cold and dark cave. When we aren’t pressed for time?”

Prompto relaxed a little, giving a small nod. “Oh, yeah. I guess that would make sense. But, hey, at least we talked about it.”

Even if he wasn’t going to kiss Prompto, he scooted closer and wrapped an arm around him. “We did talk about it. Now I can say I love you at least.”

“Me, too,” Prompto replied. “Love you, too.”

Humming happily, Noctis closed his eyes for a moment. With Prompto leaning against him, and their feelings expressed, a huge weight was lifted off his chest. He had never felt so light before, full of bliss and warm feelings. 

“As heartfelt as the moment was, I was going to step in to interrupt if you guys hadn’t stopped, yourselves.”

Eyes shooting open, Noctis stared at the entrance of the cave, seeing Aranea watching them with a large smirk. 

“A-Aranea!” both Prompto and Noctis shouted in unison. 

Chapter Text

"Calm down, boys, I won't tell anyone." Aranea laughed as she walked further into the cave. "But congrats on finally getting yourselves out of the closet."

Noctis still couldn't believe that Aranea had been watching them, but it was clearly long enough. His face was full of embarrassment , burning with the heat that came along with it.

"You two can stop looking so shocked. Instead you could look happy to see me," Aranea said as she sat down next to the boys.

"Uh, we're happy to see you?" Prompto asked.

"Hmph, good enough. Anyways, I ran into your two buddies in Tenebrae."

Noctis's eyes quickly widened. "You did?!"

She nodded. "You've both got'em worried sick. Don't you want to go back and see them?"

"We want to, but we can't even call them. Our phones are broken," Noctis answered. "We pretty much are stuck here until we find a way to get back to them."

"Then what's stopping you?"

"Even if they're worried, they probably are pretty pissed at me still," Noctis mumbled. "Kind of went jumping off a train without telling them."

Prompto leaned against Noctis. "I'm sure they aren't pissed."

Even though Noctis knew Prompto was trying to help, it didn't alleviate any of the mixed feelings stirring in his mind. "Remember the time I snuck out to go to that midnight arcade event with you? Ignis was furious."

"I'd say this is different than that," Aranea interrupted. "Besides, you know I was never on the best terms with all of you. But even knowing that, they were the ones who asked me to come out here to look for you two. Even if they are mad, they're still worried and just want to make sure that you're safe."

Knowing that, the feelings of disappointing or worrying Ignis and Gladio lessened a little. Noctis was able to breathe in deeply, clearing his mind for other thoughts.

"So, they're really okay?"

"As good as they can be functioning as a duo," Aranea replied.

"Uh, did they say anything about me?" Prompto asked quietly.

Aranea hummed. "Not that I can recall."

Prompto's shoulders slumped. "Ah… right."

"Hey," Noctis said, wrapping his arm around Prompto. "Just 'cause they didn't say anything doesn't mean they aren't thinking about you, too. Aranea even said we have them both worried, so they are thinking of you. If you can tell me they aren't pissed at me, I can tell you that they are thinking of you."

"Okay, you got me there," Prompto sighed.

"So, if you two have that sorted out, why don't you go looking for them already. They're heading to Gralea, so why not go and find them in the capital?"

It didn't seem too difficult to do. Noctis knew that he had already gotten this far with Prompto, so traveling out to the capital to look for Ignis and Gladio couldn't be any harder. As long as they stuck together, Noctis felt like they could handle just about anything.

"I guess we can try," Noctis finally answered.

"Well, while you two sort that out, I'm going after that new model in the morning. Can't let that thing get loose into the world. You're on your own now, kids."

She walked away before the boys could even say goodbye, leaving Prompto and Noctis a little confused. They glanced at each other before they both ended up shrugging.

"Guess she has somewhere to stay," Noctis said.

"Yeah… but hey! If she does, why is she leaving us out here in the cold?! She could have let us stay the night wherever she was going!" Prompto complained.

Noctis chuckled before resting his head against Prompto's shoulder. "Oh well, she probably wouldn't want to deal with us, anyway."

"We'd be too tooth-rotting cute for her?"

"You know it!"

But that still left them with the question of how they were going to sleep. While the fire did make things a lot warmer, they were still in a cave with a cold tundra just outside.

"So, uh, how are we going to sleep?"

Prompto beat him to the punch, and now he had to come up with the answer.

"I guess just try and get comfy, and keep close for body heat stuff?"

Noctis could see that Prompto's cheeks were already turning red. "You mean basically cuddling to stay warm? I think that can work."

"Then we can decide where we're going in the morning? I think after today we just need to sleep."

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Prompto replied, nodding.

It took a bit of shifting around until both found themselves comfortable. Rather than laying down on the hard stone floor, they opted to instead rest against the wall, leaning into each other's body heat.

Even with the fact Noctis and Prompto had come out in the open about their feelings, it still made Noctis's heart race to be so close and intimate. His heart kept pounding loudly against his chest, refusing to calm down for a few moments.

But he was proud of himself, having made it this far. He had finally taken that new step, even if it was uncertain, but now the result was well worth it.

And with that happy thought trailing in his mind, Noctis was able to drift off into sleep.

Prompto woke up first. It wasn't much of a surprise‒Noctis rarely ever woke up early, even if the sleeping circumstances were poor. He turned his head, seeing Noctis's peaceful face resting on his shoulder. With no strong emotions etched into his face, only peaceful bliss, Noctis's face looked rather angelic.

He started to brush a few loose strands of hair out of Noctis's face when he heard barking. He didn't see anything in the cave or at the entrance, but it sounded close, whatever it was.

"Noct," he said, starting to shake him slightly. "There's… I hear a dog."

"Hmmm, five more minutes…"

Prompto sighed, slowly maneuvering himself up to his feet while keeping Noct from falling to the ground.

"Stay here, I'll be right back, okay? I'll go investigate."

"Okay… see ya…" Noctis muttered.

Prompto headed out of the cave, trying to find the source of the barking. He shielded his eyes as he exited out into the blinding, white snow. Still, he didn't see anything, but he felt compelled to find the source.

Without even thinking, he mounted the snowmobile and headed in the direction the barking echoed from. It only took a minute or so before he came into a more forested area with a small clearing ahead of him.

As he slowed down and dismounted the vehicle, he saw an MT laying in the snow. As he approached it, hand hovering over his weapon, the machine didn't move. It lied as still as if it were dead, but Prompto could see the glow in its eyes, staring at him as he looked back.

With a heavy sigh, he sat himself down a couple feet away from it. There was still so much from the previous day that he hadn't had time to properly process. He wasn't even sure if he could ever process it.

This MT before him, it was what he could have ended up as had he never been rescued. It was either that or he could've ended up like the ones who had been terminated, burned in their test tubes, with not even a single chance at life.

He shuddered as the thoughts started to creep in. He closed his eyes, wanting to be okay with it… wishing he could be okay with it.

How in all of Eos could he ever accept who he was if what he was supposed to be was a mechanical machine meant to kill?! How could he even comprehend such a thing and still move on with his life as if it were nothing?

Worst of all, he still doubted that Noctis could accept him.

Even after that whole talk, and the remainder of the chocobo promise, Prompto couldn't shake away the doubt that sprouted in his mind. He wasn't human, or at least, he wasn't designed to be human for long. If he had been rescued any later than he had been, no doubt he would have been converted into an MT, trained to attack and kill on command.

Suddenly, he heard snow being crushed behind him.

His eyes shot open, noticing first that the MT in front of him was gone. No sign of it anywhere, not even footprints left behind.

As he stood up, he turned around and it felt like all warmth drained from his body. His heart decided to reace, beating rapidly against his ribcage. He saw Noctis stand in front of him, moving at a slow pace that was enough to make Prompto feel on edge.

"N-Noct?" he asked.

Though, when he did, his voice sounded weird. It sounded distorted. Something wasn't right.

Noctis brandished his blade, still approaching Prompto at a slow pace. He wasn't even sure how Noctis was able to summon his weapon again, but it terrified him to have the weapon pointed at him.

Prompto raised his hand up out of instinct, and then he saw what the issue was… and it only made his heart rate speed up. His hand was now metal, the same metal and shape as the MTs hand had been.

With a quick glance down at himself, his worst fears were realized‒he was just an MT.

He was one of many MTs and now Noctis was coming to finish him off.

"Noctis please! It's me! It's Prompto!" he tried screaming, only for it to come out as distorted, mechanical screeches.

With his worst fears realized, there was nothing left for him to do but run. If Noctis couldn't understand him, and was set on destroying him, then he had to get away.

He started running as fast as he could go, not even caring which way he headed. As long as he could outrun Noctis, or find a place to hide, that was all that mattered in that moment.

It scared him. Hearing Noctis shouting and grunting as he warped to catch up. Prompto could even catch glimpses of Noctis's magic in his eyes as he came closer and closer.

He knew that it was too good to be true. Noctis never trusted him in the first place. All of it was a lie so he could find the perfect opportunity.

"Stupid! So stupid!" Prompto thought as he made it to another clearing.

Briefly he stopped to catch his breath, finally running out of stamina. As he took in deep breaths, he no longer heard Noctis, or anything for that matter. So, he carefully looked behind him again and saw nothing.

All he saw were his own footprints, no one else's. That gave him enough courage to look down at his own hands, and he was relieved to see that they were normal, not metal MT hands.

"S-Shit…" he breathed out shakily. "What the f-fuck was that!? Don't tell me I'm going crazy now!"

He thought he was talking to no one, but much to his surprise he heard a bark again. Quickly turning around, he saw the source of the barking, and his eyes widened.

"P-Pryna?"

The dog barked again and started moving through the snow.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Prompto shouted as he began to chase after the dog.

Wherever Pryna was going, she had no intention of stopping to make sure Prompto was keeping pace with her. Seeing her in front of him, running and seemingly alive, only brought questions into his mind. He was certain Ignis had said that Pryna passed away back in Altissia.

Then again, Pryna was a Messenger. Prompto wasn't entirely sure how it worked, but maybe they never really died. Either way, he knew he could trust her… just as long as she wasn't another illusion.

She led him around the snowy tundra, out into a much more open area than before. As he walked around, he noticed right away that there were several MTs laying on the ground. He couldn't understand why she had taken him here, but she probably had a good reason.

"Messengers always have good reason for helping someone, right?"

He walked around, looking at each of the MTs. These ones were entirely lifeless. No light in their eyes at all. Just an empty husk of metal now… all except for one. There was one MT that was struggling to move.

Prompto pulled out his gun, gripping it firmly as he watched. The MT slowly and raised its right arm, reaching out towards Prompto. Its arm and entire body were trembling, probably meaning this MT was at the end of its functionality. And yet, despite it being on its last legs, it was still trying to reach for Prompto.

It didn't make any sense.

Was the MT trying to reach for him to attack and grab him? Or… was it calling out for help? If the MTs really were all clones of that mad scientist, then was there a chance that they had some sentience left in them?

Prompto gasped, seeing the MT reaching out for help as himself. The fear and the struggle in the eyes, they were his own.

He shook his head, looking away. He wouldn't deal with any more tricks. No more delusions or mind tricks. When he looked back, the MT was back to normal, still holding its hand out.

"What's to say that they really do have some humanity left?" Prompto pondered. "All the MTs we've destroyed… if any of them had any humanity left, we killed them. We killed them without hesitation."

With his own shaky arm, he raised his gun, pointing it at the MT.

"But they were changed… made into these things. Whatever is left probably isn't anything, right?"

For a moment he let his arm drop, not knowing if he could even do this anymore. There was so much weighing him down at this rate, he didn't want to add even more trauma to his mind. The past couple of days had already been hard enough, and right now he didn't have Noctis by his side to tell him it was alright.

But thinking of Noctis, he could imagine what he would say, and what he would do. A small fire burned in his chest, filling him with a new sense of strength.

He pulled his arm back up, stabbing the shaking with his other arm.

"They aren't human, not anymore. Anything that's left is just an echo… An echo of what they could've been."

A single tear dripped down Prompto's face.

"I can do this. End it now. Get it over with."

With one last sharp exhale, he finally pulled the trigger, shooting the MT dead center in its forehead. It collapsed back to the ground and the glow in its eyes faded, leaving it to be just another lifeless one like all the rest.

With nothing else to do, he flopped down in the snow and started to think. Seeing Pryna by his side made him think back to a time so long ago, when he had first encountered the dog as a small pup. It was because of that moment he was where he was today.

He smiled slightly, still remembering the day that he received that letter from Lunafreya. He could recall every word she delicately wrote, but there was always one sentence that stood out more than the rest.

'All I ask is that you continue to support Noctis, and that you remain ever at his side.'

It always made him wonder, even at his current point in life, why did she assume something like that? "How could she expect me to support him? With all my hang-ups, am I really good enough?"

He could think back to every moment he spent around Noctis since the start of this journey. From the moment they walked up the stairs to get their farewell from King Regis, to when they first pushed the car all the way into Hammerhead.

"He says he doesn't care about my origins, but does that mean he still wants me around? He kept making me feel like it, but…"

He pulled out his camera from his coat pocket, starting to actually flick through the photos he had taken so far on the trip. So many of them were of him and Noctis, taking a stupid selfie together. He couldn't help but manage a smile at them, knowing how important they were to him.

"I know what Noctis has said… so does that really mean he wants me to still be with him? Forever and always?"

He let out a sigh as he got through the next bunch of pictures, stopping at the one that they had taken at Cape Caem. That was all before everything went to hell, a time when things didn't seem as grim.

He then had a new thought come to his mind. "But wait… but what about me? What do I want? Do I really want…"

He looked down at his camera once more before shutting it off. "I think I get it now. Guess it took me this long, but I finally found my answer."

He stood up and looked around, Pryna was gone again. There weren't even traces of her paw prints, begging the question of if she really had been there in the first place. Maybe she had been, or maybe she hadn't. Messengers worked in mysterious ways after all, and Prompto wasn't going to bother questioning it anymore.

"Time to get back to Noct. Hopefully he hasn't woken up to find me gone."

He ran all the way back to the snowmobile and drove back towards the cave. He parked it just outside of the entrance and ran back to find Noctis slowly opening his eyes.

"Prom?" he yawned. "Are you-"

Prompto ran forward and latched onto him, burying his face against his neck.

"P-Prom? What? I thought… Did you say you were going outside for a bit?" Noctis asked, baffled.

"Yeah, I did, I just… I need to remind myself that you're here for me. That you trust me, and promised to never hurt me."

"Hurt you?" Noctis questioned. "I'd never! Prompto, you know that!"

Prompto nodded. "I know. Just needed to remind myself of it."

Noctis finally hugged him back, having recovered from the initial shock and confusion. "Is everything okay? What happened out there?"

"Nothing," Prompto whispered.

"Sure doesn't feel like nothing. Can't you tell me?"

"Okay, I'll tell you later, how's that sound?"

He wasn't opposed to telling Noctis, but after the entire ordeal, he wanted to just get away from it. He wanted to focus on something else, to keep on going, and to possibly help stop a large threat.

"Guess so. Just let me know if you need something, okay?"

Prompto let go of Noctis and nodded. "You know it. Now come on! We gotta go and find Aranea!"

"What? What for?"

"Cause we're going to help her take down whatever Verstael was planning!"

"Alright, guess we're doing that next. Then I suppose we go looking for Ignis and Gladio?"

"Right! Come on! Let's go and find her!"

After helping Noctis to his feet, the two ran out towards the snowmobile. Prompto started to drive around, heading back towards the sign of buildings. It didn't take long before he spotted Aranea, walking a few feet ahead of them, and away from her own snowmobile.

"Aranea!" he shouted as he slowed the vehicle down next to her.

"Hm, what's up, Shortcake?"

"I'm ready. Uh, we're ready. You know, to help."

"What made you want to join the fight?" Aranea asked.

"Thought we could help. Plus…" Prompto said as he leaned forward on the console. "I had a lot of thinking I had to do. About myself and where I came from, and what lies ahead. I've decided I need to face my fears once and for all. I need to remind myself that I can't choose where I came from."

He glanced back to Noctis who grinned at him. The warmth in his smile was enough to help keep the fire burning in Prompto's heart. "And while I can't choose that, I can choose where I'm going. That's why I need to do this."

"And I'm here for Prompto 100% of the way. I won't turn my back on him," Noctis added.

Aranea hummed. "Alright, but slow me down and you two are going to get left behind."

"Understood!" Prompto said as he did a small salute.

"Whatever you say," Noctis said.

"Then follow me, and keep your guard up. We're heading right into the Annex research facility."

The boys nodded, dismounted the snowmobile, and started to follow behind her. Prompto made sure to take in several deep breaths as they moved. Whatever they were going to face up ahead, it wasn't going to be easy. None of it had been easy so far, but they still made it through, so he knew they could keep going.

Chapter Text

Sneaking into a facility, fighting off MTs and a gigantic robotic monkey were not things Noctis had expected to ever have to do. Maybe the first two things were already an easy given, but that last one still threw him for a loop.

However, what came next was probably ten levels beyond the last thing. He had already known about the machine known as Immortalis from the notes he had found with Prompto. It would be something of a challenge, but he hadn't expected it to be one gigantic robotic worm.

It wasn't exactly the type of thing you could fight normally. Thankfully there was a snowmobile that Aranea and Prompto boarded that had a machine gun attachment on the back.

All Noctis could do was follow along on his own snowmobile as he watched Prompto fire away at the machine that contained the essence of his creator. Whatever Prompto was feeling, Noctis knew this was something that he had to do on his own. Even if Noctis found a way to help fight, which considering the circumstances weren't all too easy, it was a fight meant for Prompto to finish.

"Can't imagine what he must be feeling… After all of that crap… I'll try and talk to him after."

With that in mind, Noctis kept his focus on driving forward. As much as he wanted to properly watch Prompto shoot down a gigantic, monstrous, metal worm, he had to keep himself from crashing.

Thankfully, it didn't take much later before all the red, glowing cores in the machine were dying out, and the worm came collapsing down into the snow. With it lying there, still and no longer full of energy, the trio made their way up a hill to gain a better view.

"Holy mother of Shiva," Prompto murmured as he sat himself down on the snowmobile. "Did I really take that thing down?"

Noctis stepped up next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did, and it was all you."

"It's just… I never thought I could take on something like that, let alone do it on my own," Prompto replied, leaning on the snowmobile's console.

"You alright?" Aranea asked him.

Prompto nodded slowly. "Yeah. This is what I needed… what I wanted."

"Then say it like you mean it. You did good, kid," Aranea replied.

Prompto smiled, pointing finger guns towards her. "Couldn't have done it without you, gurl!"

Noctis chuckled. "Really?"

Prompto shrugged. "She was a help, can't deny that. But seriously though, thanks Aranea."

"Yeah," Noctis added. "Thanks for coming to help."

"Guess we better get going. If we wanna try and find Gladio and Iggy and take back the Crystal, we shouldn't waste any more time."

Aranea smiled. "Well, don't get ahead of yourself, boys. Take it one step at a time."

Grinning widely, Prompto gave a firm nod. "Will do!"

"Alright then, if you two are that determined, then Gralea's straight ahead. Go rejoin your friends."

Noctis and Prompto said their goodbyes to Aranea before Noctis got on the back of the snowmobile behind Prompto. "Ready to go?"

"Hm, yeah, let's get a move on."

Noctis held on tightly to Prompto as the rush of the wind against his face. He closed his eyes, however, keeping his head nicely rested against Prompto's back.

Everything would be smooth sailing from here, or he had to hope it would be. Unfortunately, with what had happened so far, he didn't have a lot of confidence in something like that.

No doubt they would cross paths again with Ardyn. It was clear he was going to shove his grimy face wherever they went, regardless of what Noctis said or did. However, now that Noctis was aware of the man's antics, he wasn't going to let any more illusions get to him. He would keep himself from caving into his emotions, not giving in to any underlying rage that Ardyn would try to awaken.

"And if I see him again, I'll make him really pay for what he did back on the train," Noctis thought.

It didn't take long before the snowmobile had finally ran out of gas, leaving Prompto and Noctis to make the rest of the trip on foot. The winds had thankfully died down, but that didn't stop the frigid cold temperature from breathing down their necks.

"Can't you like, summon Titan or someone and have them carry us the rest of the way? I bet that big dude could do it in five steps. Or even Ramuh? We could cling to that beard of his and he could float all the way to Gralea?" Prompto asked.

"The Astrals don't just let me summon them wherever. They just decide to show up when they think I need help," Noctis explained.

Prompto groaned. "And being marooned in the middle of the tundra isn't something you'd need help with? Oh! What about Shiva?"

Noctis sighed, watching his breath in front of him. "Don't have a convent with her. Don't even know how I'd get it… considering…"

"Oh, right. Yeah, kind of forgot the whole 'Shiva was killed here and that's why there's the endless winter' thing."

Prompto stared up at the sky, letting a few snowflakes fall onto his face. "So guess that means more walking, yeah?"

"Yup," Noctis agreed dryly. "So much walking…"

"Ah, only a spoiled prince would dare to complain at the concept of walking."

At the sound of Ardyn's voice, both boys looked behind them, finding Ardyn sauntering towards him.

"Stay back!" Noctis hissed, pulling out the gun he had collected from the base.

"Haven't you done enough?" Prompto added, pulling out his own gun.

Ardyn shook his head. "Tsk tsk, after everything you've been through, and still no manners."

"After everything you've pulled, I don't think manners matter," Noctis hissed.

"Well then, if manners don't matter anymore, then I see no need to go about this lightly."

Ardyn snapped his fingers and a wave of darkness burst forth towards the two boys. With seconds to spare, Noctis tried to grab onto Prompto before the wave hit him, pulling his mind instantly into darkness.

When Noctis woke up, there were already several things telling him that something had gone terribly wrong. He was in shackles that were chained to a wall behind him, and from a quick glance he could tell he was in some cell that was cold and dark.

But what was more alarming was the fact that he was all by himself.

"Prompto?!" he shouted as loudly as he could.

His voice echoed off the walls, fading into the distance.

He tried again.

"Prompto! Prompto can you hear me!? Where are you!?"

His heart was hammering now, ponding harshly against his ribcage. With each fading echo of his voice, his heart only ran faster.

"Come on Prompto! Can you hear me?! Please answer!"

Suddenly, Ardyn walked across the front of the cell gate. The very sight of him stopped all of the fear in Noctis's blood, instead replacing it with rage.

"You shouldn't shout so much or you may strain your voice," Ardyn replied dryly.

"Where the fuck is Prompto!? What did you do to him!?"

"That's not something I feel you need to know. After all, what does it matter? He was nothing more than some defective clone."

"He isn't! He is better than any of those clones!" Noctis replied sharply, making sure he didn't fall into Ardyn's trap to talk about Prompto in the past tense.

Ardyn only grinned. "Ah yes, you do show such consideration and care for him, don't you. My… What would your people think? To know their prince, oh excuse me, their king cares for nothing more than a failed science experiment? A Niflheim experiment no less."

"You better shut up, or I'll-"

"You'll what? You're currently chained to a wall, can't access your magic, and your poor Prompto is gods knows where. I'm afraid you don't have all too many options to work with."

Noctis gritted his teeth, barring them sharply towards Ardyn. He knew all too well that he was playing right into Ardyn's game. The man wanted him to get riled, to become so mad he'd make some irrational decision. Maybe he was hoping that there was a chance that Noctis would become desperate, pleading for Prompto's safe return.

As much as Noctis desperately wanted Prompto back, more than anything else at the moment, he still tried to keep some rational thought. He would find a way, without having to give into anything that Ardyn could suggest.

"I'll get Prompto back, you'll see. Then once we find Ignis and Gladio, we'll find the Crystal. We're still going to take back what is ours and save Eos."

Ardyn sighed, growing displeased. "Well, that's a rather boring answer. But… I suppose it's what we have to make do with. At least we have something to look forward to. Please, continue to put on a good show for me."

Noctis tried to stand, trying to move himself forward towards the front of the cell. He only managed a few inches before the chains connected to the cuffs pulled tight, preventing any further movement. "You're not getting any show! I'm going to make you pay for what you did on the train!"

"Always putting Prompto first, isn't it? Truly, it shows that he is your heart's desire above all else," Ardyn taunted.

The words struck down deep into Noctis's heart, blazing with such strength he was afraid it could actually burn him.

If it hadn't been anyone else claiming that Prompto was his heart's desire, he probably would've accepted it easily by this point. Maybe he'd blush with embarrassment at first, but for Prompto's sake he would gladly declare it.

But the fact that Ardyn was the one saying it made the words sound tainted.

He hated that now he'd never be able to think about those words without the voice of Ardyn's slinky tone echoing in the back of his mind.

"You wouldn't know anything about a heart's desire!" Noctis spat.

Ardyn's amusement faded from his face, morphing into one almost devoid of any emotion. "Oh, you're right. I could have never been capable of such a feat. After all, I'm clearly the monster in your little adventure, and we all know monsters can't be capable of any feelings."

It was clear Ardyn was trying to hint at something. The way he used those words with his tone emphasizing clear annoyance indicated there was more that Ardyn would ever let on. None of it really interested Noctis however, as he saw no reason to learn any backstory of the man who had been a big thorn in his side during his entire journey.

Noctis refused to play into any of Ardyn's games. He glared long and hard, keeping his internal resolve straight. He would get out of here, find Prompto, get back to Ignis and Gladio, and then deal with the crystal.

"If that's all you want to say, then I might as well take my leave. Maybe some time alone will be good to reflect. After all, you're only here because of yourself."

Noctis gritted his teeth as he watched Ardyn walk off, holding back a bated breath until he truly knew that he was alone.

He didn't want to admit it, but he knew that Ardyn was partly right. He was only chained up here cause he had initially followed after Prompto. He was separated from his Hand and Shield all because he made one rash decision to jump off a train after his friend.

As he hung his head low, he could feel a power surging against his chest pocket.

The Ring of Lucii.

He had forgotten about it entirely ever since this entire ordeal began.

"I could have been using it this entire time…" he thought solemnly. "I just… didn't even think. Some king I am…"

He couldn't do anything right, not without making a mess of everything first. If only he had thought before he acted… maybe then he could have been better prepared for when Ardyn showed up.

"Maybe I should have thought before even jumping off the train… but then Prompto would've been on his own. How could I even make a decision to not go after him?"

He couldn't even begin to fathom the idea of having Prompto be all on his own. Prompto was strong, and he had proved himself more than once, but Noctis still hated the idea of Prompto facing his origins without anyone to talk to about it. He remembered how Prompto had held that burning stick near his wrist. Noctis's gut twisted with fear on what would have happened if he hadn't been there to stop Prompto.

He could only let his thoughts haunt him, lingering in the back of his head.

Until he figured out a way to get free, he wasn't able to do anything else.

Chapter Text

Time passed by, all feeling like one big blur. Noctis had no idea if only hours had passed, or possibly even days. And in all that time Noctis hadn't made any progress in trying to break free from the chains that held him. He had tried at first, pulling and yanking against them, but it all proved to be frivolous. Without access to his armiger, he couldn't summon any weapons or a flask to try and help himself.

He couldn't even will himself to grab the ring out of his pocket. The chains didn't restrict him that much, but no matter how much he knew it could help him, he wasn't able to force himself into doing it.

Part of his mind told him he needed to snap out of this funk, Prompto was gods who knows where, and Ignis and Gladio were still probably looking for the two of them.

"Prompto wouldn't want me to give up. He's gotta be still alive… He has to be."

Noctis shuddered, feeling cold air brush up against his skin. He started to shiver, wishing that Ardyn hadn't taken away his snow gear. He didn't even want to think about the fact that Ardyn had taken the gear before chaining him up.

With a shivering breath, he closed his eyes, visualizing Prompto in his mind. He thought maybe the idea of seeing his smile could warm him, but the cold persisted, and it was only getting worse.

When Noctis opened his eyes he was astounded at the fact that ice and frost was starting to encase the cell. A rush of cold wind surrounded him, forcing him to shield his eyes as it relentlessly kept coming. There was no way that Ardyn was the one behind this. He may have had dark powers, but Noctis was sure that making a snow storm indoors wasn't one of them.

As he tried shielding his eyes, he could see someone in the distance, towards the end of the hallway. He squinted, trying to see past the endless cascade of flurries, but his vision had already started to blur.

"W-who's there?" he asked as loudly as he could.

The figure approached just as Noctis wrapped his arms around himself, trying to keep some bit of warmth. He looked up slowly, blinking past the snow in his eyes to see that Gentiana was standing before him.

As Noctis stared at Gentiana who now stood across the gate, he had only three conclusions come to mind. One was the fact this was Gentiana and now he had a chance of being saved, the second was that Ardyn was playing another convincing illusion, or three he was only imagining this as he slowly went insane from being imprisoned.

The third one was probably a bit of a stretch, considering he hadn't been there long, but he wasn't going to rule anything out just yet.

As the bars of the cell iced over, Gentiana raised her hand, causing them to instantly shatter into small shards of ice. She stepped closer until she was only a couple feet in front of Noctis, seemingly unaffected by the wintry winds rushing around.

"The Chosen King is found once more. Let it now be done… as promised to the Oracle."

Gentiana rose off of the floor, her body shimmering as bright as the snow itself. In a blinding display of glittering light, her body transformed, and everything clicked into place for Noctis.

"Gentiana… It's you. You're the Glacian," he stated.

With her body now in the form of the Glacian, she nodded. "O Kings of Kings, restore Light unto the world."

Floating above her hands was Luna's trident. The Oracle's trident. Noctis's chest ached at the sight of it, the memories of Altissia still raw in his mind.

But he found himself reaching out to grab it. The weapon vanished as soon as his fingers tried wrapping around it, and he could feel its magic hidden within him. It was now locked away in his armiger just like everything else, still rendering him completely weaponless.

"Genti-uh… Mighty Glacian? Help me," he whispered as he held up his chained arms. "I need to get out of here and find Prompto and the others. So please, can you help?"

Shiva looked at him, her expression unchanging for a moment. She closed her eyes a moment later and the slightest smile could be seen crossing her lips. "For this once, I shall grant this request. In doing so it shall help the King of Light may reunite with his other half."

Noctis blushed. How the hell Shiva ever could have figured out about his recent relationship development he didn't know nor did he want to know. He was thankful however that she would be willing to help him.

He watched as she encased the chains in ice, sending numerous shivers up and down his spine. Once he saw they were completely encased, he yanked as quickly as he could and he watched as they shattered into icy little bits, much like how Shiva had dealt with the cell gate.

Standing up, Noctis bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you."

Shiva bowed back to him. "Go forth, find your other half. Then may the time come for you to restore light."

"I'll do my best," Noctis said as he nodded.

In one last flash of snow, Shiva disappeared along with all the evidence that she had even been there.

Now that Noctis was free, he walked out of his cell and began to look around. Even if he couldn't see it, he was sure the place he was in was crawling with either MTs, daemons or most likely both.

With no other choice, he pulled the ring out of his pocket, holding it in the palm of his hand. Like before, he could feel the magic that surged within it, begging to be worn. He hated that it gave off such a tempting feeling, knowing it was the cause of his father's decline in health.

Still, if he wanted a chance in a fight, he needed this. He had to prove it to everyone that he could take the right steps in being a king, and that included making tough choices like this.

With a steady deep breath, he slipped the ring onto his middle right finger.

Instantly he felt power unlike anything else surging through every inch of his body. The power pulsed heavily from his finger, almost making him feel like he was drowning in it. When the pain settled, he could hear the faint echoing of voices, snarky older vices seemingly judging.

"The Kings and Queens of Lucii…" Noctis thought to himself, hoping that the spirits weren't so invasive that they could hear his thoughts.

Trying to ignore their prattling and judgment, Noctis ran down the hallway, trying to figure out just where he was, and where he could find Prompto.

"Ah, so it seems the Glacian has helped you out of your predicament," Ardyn's voice echoed from the speakers above. "The Astrals must have gotten desperate to intervene. Or perhaps they've simply taken pity on a pitiful king."

"Shut up!" Noctis shouted. "Either tell me where the hell you are keeping Prompto or back off!"

"Still only thinking of your little blond are we? Even when your other friends could be so close?"

Noctis's heart hesitated. He knew Ardyn was very good at lying, but at the same time he loved to taunt to rile Noctis up. If he was telling the truth, it meant that Ignis and Gladio would be somewhere nearby.

After wandering for a while, he found out that the place he was in was the Zegnautus Keep. He wandered down many hallways, wishing that he had a map. The entire place felt like a huge maze, and every turn just seemed to make him more lost than before.

The entire place was full of plenty of MTs and daemons, devoid of all other signs of life.

At least until Noctis came to the lower levels of the Keep, finding Ravus's body in a rather unceremonious state. Noctis had to hold back the unease that formed in his stomach. He knew Ravus had been a bit of a pain, but he knew that the Tenebraen prince didn't deserve such a fate.

While his body laid still, his magitek arm clung to an all too familiar sword that was impaled into the floor. Slowly, Noctis went to pick up the sword, watching as the metal arm fell as soon as he was able to dislodge the weapon from the ground. Thankfully, this sword did not vanish into his armiger like the rest, this one stayed out and tightly gripped in his hand.

He bowed his head to Ravus's body before he finally headed onward, now with both his father's sword and ring to take on whatever he would face next.

From daemons, to poisonous gas, to Ardyn's annoying commentary, things only got more messed up the further he explored around the Keep. There were many dark secrets hidden in the place, many of which Noctis was wishing he hadn't come across. But there was no way to forget what he had seen… the horrors that had been left behind.

Thankfully, before he even realized it, he found himself reunited with Gladio and Ignis.

Once he was able to get over to them, his legs started to feel shaky. His heart hammered as he approached his Advisor and Shield. The very people who were supposed to protect him were also the same exact people he had abandoned when he went after Prompto.

Noctis was about to open his mouth to ask how they had gotten there, Gladio spoke first.

"What the hell were you thinking, Noct!?"

Noctis flinched, but didn't cast his gaze away. "Sorry."

"That's all you have to say for yourself?" Gladio scoffed.

"I know I made a stupid decision… but I couldn't leave Prompto behind. After Ardyn tricked me into pushing him off the train … I couldn't think straight. If I hadn't gone after him, Prompto could have…" Noctis shook his head, refusing to even say it. "Ardyn separated us. I need to get him back."

"And we'll help get him back into our arms safely," Ignis replied.

"Don't get me wrong, I want to help find the kid too, but come on Iggy, aren't you a little pissed at Noct's reckless ass?"

Noctis frowned. "I'm right here, you know."

"While I can't say I agree with the recklessness, Noctis is safe and well, and that is what matters for now."

"Thanks Iggy."

"But we will talk later about your rash decision, even if you did it to save Prompto," Ignis quickly added.

Noctis rolled his eyes. He could never escape Ignis's lectures. "Yeah, fine. But come on, we need to find Prompto. This way."

The three started down another hallway, doing their best to ignore Ardyn's over dramatic taunts.

"So you're finally wearing the ring, huh?" Gladio asked.

"Yup," Noctis replied quietly.

"And how are you faring?"

Noctis sighed, not wanting to think about how the ring felt like it was burning his arm every time he used it. "I'm fine. Don't need to worry for me. Come on, I think I see something at the end of the hall!"

At the end of the dreary hallway, Noctis came up to a cell where he found Prompto hung up on a strange t-shaped machine. Immediately he swung the gate open and ran up to the love of his life.

"Prompto!?" He shouted frantically, noticing that Prompto's arms were covered in bruises and scrapes. He mentally made a note to add another wave of anger that he would unleash on Ardyn. That man was going to pay for so much and Noctis was ready to tear him apart.

Prompto let out a soft moan before lifting his head. "Noct…?"

Noctis turned back to face Gladio, who had just explained the situation to Ignis. "Gladio, can you help me get him off this thing?"

Gladio firmly nodded and came over to investigate the device. It took a little fiddling, but they were able to release Prompto from the restraints and helped guide him to the floor.

Noctis knelt down beside him, wrapping an arm around him. "Hey, I'm here," he whispered softly.

"You alright?" Gladio asked.

"Are you hurt? Do you need help?"

Prompto shook his head. "I'm fine." He then turned to look at Noctis, and as soon as their eyes met, Noctis found Prompto clinging to him.

"Noct!"

"Prompto," Noctis replied, throwing his arms around him.

"I… I didn't know what happened after A-Ardyn… I woke up in that t-thing and…"

"Shh, it's okay. You're safe now," Noctis whispered.

"I know. Still, I was scared Ardyn had done something to you. You're okay, right?" he asked, looking at Noctis again.

"Course I am. You know me, I'm not that easy to defeat. Now come on, there's a place we can rest a little ways back I think. All of us could use a good rest."

"It sounds like a reasonable thing," Ignis agreed. "Prompto, do you require any assistance?"

"Nah, I'll be good. I got Noct here to help anyway," Prompto replied.

Noctis stood back up, pulling Prompto alongside him. Together they headed out of the room first, with Noctis wrapping an arm gently around Prompto's waist. From the way the machine had looked, Noctis could only assume there were bruises and damage other places than just his wrists. It still made him feel heavy waves of guilt and nausea, knowing that Ardyn probably did this just to torment him further.

"He already has enough reasons for me to hate him, yet he keeps going further. But no more. Tonight, we'll end this."

When they reached one of the dormitories, Noctis sat Prompto down on one of the beds, with Gladio and Ignis sitting down at one of the others.

"We'll rest here," Noctis stared firmly. "Then we'll continue to find the crystal."

"Sounds good to me, could use a moment to take a load off," Gladio replied.

Prompto nodded. "And rest does sound nice."

"Then let us try and get what we can," Ignis added.

With everyone in agreement, Noctis turned to face Prompto, pulling him into a tight embrace. Both of them sat there silently, listening to each other's breathing as they basked in the warmth of the other.

"Prompto… I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For failing to stop Ardyn. For letting him put you in that thing… I couldn't get to you soon enough."

Prompto hummed, adjusting himself so his head rested gently against Noctis's chest. "Not your fault."

"But you're hurt."

"Nothing too severe."

Noctis sighed, knowing Prompto would continue to pass off his injuries as nothing. He moved a hand to Prompto's hair, slowly weaving his fingers in it. "You can tell me the truth, Prom. You know you don't have to hide anything from me."

"I know…" Prompto said. "It was a bit scary if I'm honest. Waking up in that contraption, not knowing where I was or where you were, it terrified me."

Noctis held Prompto tighter, wanting to wash away all the pain and trauma Prompto had endured. He wanted to cure Prompto of all of his injuries, still hating to see that beautiful face have bruises and a scrap going across his nose. Without a potion readily available, things like the scraps would likely fade overtime, but that didn't do much to ease Noctis's heart.

"I'm still sorry. I didn't get out of the cell I was in soon enough."

"You still came for me. That's all I care about," Prompto replied.

Noctis nodded, adjusting himself so his chin rested on top of Prompto's head. "Yeah…"

He closed his eyes, trying to let his mind relax. Prompto was back safely in his arms, and it finally gave him a chance to think. While getting to the crystal was an urgent matter, having a moment to sit and think again did good for him. He started to mull over a small idea that he had ever since he finally expressed his feelings to Prompto.

"You know what?" he asked after gathering his thoughts together.

"What?"

"I was thinking… once this is all over. I… I want to tell the world about us."

"U-us? Are you sure? Like, what if people don't agree or stuff?"

Noctis shook his head. "I don't care what the people think. I just want them to know that you… that me… That we're together. I want to break down the borders, and come together as one nation."

He felt Prompto chuckling against his chest. "Never thought I'd say this, but you really sounded pretty kingly there, y'know."

Shrugging a little, Noctis nudged Prompto back slightly so he could look him right in the eyes. "Better late than never, right? After all of this crap, I want to make the world a better place, and I want you by my side for it. So… you with me?"

Prompto smiled at him, his usual warm brightness shining again. "You know it. Like I told you before, I'm ever at your side."

Across the room, Gladio gave a soft hum as he watched the two younger boys on the bed.

"Something the matter?" Ignis asked.

"Nothing, just that we apparently missed a lot."

"Noctis and Prompto?" Ignis inquired. "It is true, the way they speak to each other seems different than when we last saw them."

Gladio chuckled lightly. "And you know how Noct's isn't the most affectionate or touchy feel kind of guy?"

Ignis raised an eyebrow. "Yes? What is it that they are doing?"

"Noctis is clinging to Prompto like there's no tomorrow. Oh, and they're smiling at each other like idiots."

Slowly, Ignis started to smile as well. "Ah, yes. That is quite a difference from before. Perhaps, despite the circumstances that separated us from Noct, this has improved his relationship with Prompto."

"Could only imagine what those idiots must have gotten up to that would lead to that."

"Let's just leave them be, Gladio. It sounds like they need their time together."

Chapter Text

"Ready to move out?" Noctis asked.

As much as Noctis would have rather waited longer, spending more time with Prompto, he knew that they had to carry on. They still had to get their weapons, find the crystal, stop Ardyn and restore light to the world.

So much to do, and Noctis had to keep pretending he was okay with it. He was still only 20, and he had so much weight on his shoulders. And that wasn't even with the added fact he had opened his feelings to Prompto, giving him a whole other thing to think about.

"We're ready when you are," Ignis replied.

"Yeah, lead the way, Noct!" Prompto added.

Together, the group left the dormitory, heading back out into the hell that was the series of hallways of the Zegnautus Keep. Eventually, they found themselves in a different area, one where Ignis was able to hear a low humming sound from across a long catwalk.

"It's here."

Noctis stared up at the door. "This thing? Beyond the door?" He gave the door a try. "It's locked."

"It's coming from within. Is there no way through?"

Noctis hummed, looking at the door, hoping to find some sort of opening. As he did, he noticed Prompto walk up to his side. He gave a quick side glance to Noctis, his eyes saying everything.

"Only do it if you want to," Noctis whispered softly.

Prompto nodded solemnly before he exhaled. "I know a way to unlock the door…"

Noctis and Gladio watched as Prompto walked over to the door's scanner, holding up his right wrist. A second later a beep was heard and the door unlocked.

"Well, Noct and I kind of learned some stuff while we were here. Learned MTs… got these codeprints… looks kind of like a barcode."

Prompto started to rub his wrist absentmindedly. Noctis knew that Prompto hadn't gotten through it just yet, and it wouldn't be any time soon. But he had taken this step to expressing the truth.

"So, yeah… as it turns out…I'm one of them. Not exactly something I could tell people growing up in Lucis."

"Prom, you didn't know," Noctis countered quickly.

"But I knew I was different. No other kid had a barcode on their wrist. Besides…" He glanced between Noctis and the other two. "You guys are like…the only friends I've ever known. I just hope that things can stay the way they were."

"And you know I don't care where you were born. I just care about you, Prompto," Noctis replied.

"And I don't see you turning against us. Not now, or ever," Ignis added.

Prompto smiled slightly. "Thanks. Still…I can't change where I came from. But yeah… I know what you're going to say, Noct."

"You know it," Noctis grinned, playfully punching Prompto's shoulder. "After everything you and I went through with each other, you know there's no way I'm letting you talk yourself down. You're Lucian, through and through."

Feeling warmth in his chest, Prompto reached over to hug Noctis. "I'm glad you were there before. You really never gave up on me."

"And I never will give up on you," Noctis replied, returning the hug.

After a moment between them, Noctis let go, taking a step back. "Now come on, we got a generator to destroy."

The four headed into the room which turned out to be the throne room for the Emperor. He was nowhere to be found, with only remains of his robes being left on the throne itself. It wasn't much to pay attention to as Noctis was focused on getting to the device.

He rammed his father's sword into it and the humming soon stopped as the machine shut down.

"So… did it work?" Prompto asked.

"With the device down and out, Noct's power should be up and running," Ignis concluded.

Holding out his hand, Noctis gave summoning his weapons a try. In an instant, the familiar feeling flooded his body, and magic, crystallized weapons appeared. He reached out and grabbed onto his engine blade, gripping it tightly in his hand.

They were back to normal, and now they could properly progress on their mission to find Ardyn and the Crystal.

After they exited the throne room, it wasn't long before daemons started to show up again, but now that Noctis had his arsenal back, it proved to be a lot easier. He still used the Ring however, even if he hated how he could feel it draining his energy at times.

Along the way they ended up finding the daemon form of the Emperor, his last thoughts still echoing through the daemonized body. They fought until the daemon was defeated, leaving them to once again keep pressing forward, heading deeper into the keep.

Eventually, they made their way down to a loading bay, but it wasn't met with an easy road. Ravus, or what was left of Ravus, walked into the room.

'Leave it to Ardyn to try and make things even more difficult…'

When the battle was done, a moment of silence was held for the fallen Tenebraen prince. Even with everything he had done against them, Noctis knew he didn't deserve such a fate.

When they moved on again, once more the room filled with daemons, surrounding them on all sides. The group jumped into action, fighting off each monster that came at them, but more and more kept on coming.

"We're getting nowhere!" Gladio shouted.

"And they just keep coming!" Prompto added.

"Noct, you must go alone," Ignis stated suddenly.

The words almost made Noctis stop dead in his tracks. "What?"

"If you can obtain the Crystal's power, we may yet turn the tide. Elsewise, we are all likely to perish here," Ignis replied.

"Iggy's right. It's our only chance," Gladio added.

Noctis still couldn't believe what was being said. "But what about you?"

After such a long and trying journey, he had only just been reunited with Ignis and Gladio, and now they wanted him to go? He knew why, and he could see their reasonings, but it still wasn't sitting right with him.

"A-are you sure?" Prompto asked. "There's a lot more daemons than before."

"We can handle it, but Noct should go," Gladio said.

That was another thing. With everything Noctis had been through with Prompto, he couldn't imagine running off, leaving him behind, even if it was just with Gladio and Ignis.

"You could still get to the Crystal… if you went on your own. Your friends will have to stay behind," Ardyn's voice echoed from a speaker.

Noctis gritted his teeth. He didn't want to leave them, but he knew this could be their only chance. He saw that an elevator across the loading bay arrived, with its doors opening, as if it were ready and waiting for Noctis.

Just as he started to run towards it, he heard Prompto from behind.

"Oh, screw Ardyn!" Prompto shouted.

"Prompto wait!" Gladio yelled.

"I'm not letting Noct go alone. Ardyn wants him to, which means nothing good can come from it!"

Just as Noctis arrived at the elevator doors, he turned to see Prompto running up right behind him.

"But Prom-"

"No buts! I'm not getting separated from you again or letting you deal with Ardyn alone!"

There was no time to argue, not that Noctis would argue for Prompto to stay back. Together, they quickly ran into the elevator, which closed immediately and began its descent.

"We're sticking together," Prompto stated firmly.

"Thanks," Noctis replied with a nod.

"How interesting… Can't follow one simple task now can you?" Ardyn mused, sounding rather unamused.

The elevator opened up on the other side when it came to the bottom floor. They were in another large hanger, with one large door across the room.

Hangar gate closing. Please stand clear.

As soon as the automatic voice spoke, the large door began to slowly close.

"You'd better think fast. I don't envy your decision. Perhaps now is the time you actually go it alone," Ardyn taunted.

Noctis hissed. "Come on, we gotta run for it."

"The Crystal's right up ahead?" Prompto asked.

"I guess so."

"I suppose betraying two of your loyal friends still counts for the greater good—the mark of a monarch! Step forth, Your Majesty!" Ardyn laughed loudly.

The two of them ran as fast as they could, dodging daemons spawning all around them. As they were closing in on the hanger door, larger daemons began to crop up, almost blocking their pathway. Unless they tried to dodge and run around the daemons, it was going to be tricky to get by with enough time before the door closed.

Unless…

"Prompto, I need you to hold on tightly to me."

"What?"

"I'm going to warp us over to the door before it closes."

"But Noct, I've never warped! I haven't learned how to do that yet!"

Not wanting to waste any more time, Noctis threw one arm around Prompto's waist as he summoned his blade to his other hand.

"Better now then never."

Before Prompto could protest Noctis threw his sword as far forward as he could, challenging all of his magic into warping. As he warped, he could feel Promtpo holding on tightly, cursing softly under his breath.

He took a few more wraps until they were finally at the door, just moments before it actually was about to close.

Letting go of Prompto, he made sure that he could stand on his own. Warping for the first time wasn't fun for anyone, and he was sure that Prompto was going to feel a little shaky.

"You good?"

"Holy shit, you warped me! I actually fucking warped!"

"Yeah, but come on, you can scold me later," Noctis said pulled him to the other side of the hanger door.

"If you wish to obtain the Crystal's power, you must be prepared to lose all else," Ardyn stated.

Noctis took a deep breath as he looked back. He saw Gladio and Ignis on the upper level he had come from, still fighting off hordes of daemons. It made him feel sick that he had to abandon them in such a manner, knowing that he was leaving them on their own again.

Gate closed.

Now that the door was shut tight, Noctis sighed. "Don't die on me."

"They'll be fine. They got all the way here on their own, so let's not give up on them," Prompto reassured.

"Right. Let's go get the Crystal."

In this room, there was a catwalk leading to another elevator, this one smaller and circular. When they entered, and it began to move, Ardyn's voice once again came, still sounding just as slimy as ever.

"Do you suppose your dear friends are still alive? Those who died for you—do you ever wonder what went through their minds? Can you even recall their final words?"

"Don't let him get to you," Prompto said, reaching over to give Noctis's hand a squeeze.

"I won't. And we're going to come back for them. I swear."

They ran down a long white hallway, their footsteps echoing quietly around them.

"How far's this go? The Crystal had better be here," Noctis muttered.

"It has to be here," Prompto replied. "Can't you like, feel it or something?"

"I dunno… But let's just hope it is. Everyone's counting on it…counting on me."

Finally, they entered the next room and there it was; the Crystal. It still shined and glowed just as Noctis remembered it.

"Your journey is over, Noct…"

"It'd be nice if we could shut him up…" Prompto said as he ran right behind Noctis.

Taking a deep breath, Noctis stepped up before the Crystal, holding his hand outward. "Please… Help me stop the daemons."

As if replying, the Crystal began glowing brightly. Suddenly, it felt like an invisible force was around Noctis's hand, pulling him closer towards the Crystal… and instead of touching the geo his hand started to sink inside.

"What the hell?" Prompto asked as he ran up beside him. "What's happening?!"

"I don't know," Noctis replied, trying his best to pull himself free, but the force was too strong, pulling him further into the glowing light of the Crystal.

From behind, Noctis could see Ardyn walking towards them, muttering something about an old tale from ages ago. But Noctis could barely even focus on what was being said, he was far more concerned about the fact that the Crystal was absorbing him.

Prompto grabbed onto his free hand, trying to pull him out. "Come on! This can't be happening!"

"I can't stop it, Prompto. It's pulling me in," Noctis replied, now with his legs already inside of the crystal.

"I'm not losing you like this!"

Prompto wrapped his arms around Noctis, pushing them up against the Crystal all while Noctis seamlessly kept sinking in further.

"Prom, I don't think that… It's not going to help…"

"No way! I… I can't… We don't know what will happen after this!"

"I'll come back. Promise."

"But I… I can't risk it!" Prompto shouted before he stood up on the tips of his toes and pressed his lips hard against Noctis's.

It was sudden and shocking, but Noctis didn't waste a single second before wrapping his one free arm around Prompto.

The first kiss.

It was hasty and probably done in the worst place they could have had it happen. But, Prompto was right, they had no idea what would happen after this. Without knowing what would happen after the Crystal absorbed him, Noctis gladly took the moment to share their first, and hopefully not last, kiss.

The weight of Prompto's body leaned against the Crystal slacken, causing Prompto to lean his head back, staring with wide eyes.

"Uh, Noct?"

"Yeah?"

"The Crystal… It's pulling me in too."

Noctis continued to hold Prompto tightly, feeling his body being lifted up as it was truly being pulled in along with him.

From beyond Prompto, Noctis glanced to see Ardyn still standing there. He had stopped his story, and while Noctis hadn't been paying attention to most of it, he could have sworn he heard Ardyn say 'Ardyn Lucis Caelum'. But now the mysterious man had stopped his story, now looked rather dumbfounded.

"Hmm, now this is quite a peculiar change… Even a failed clone is deemed worthy? Hardly amusing," he scoffed. "But nonetheless, you, Noctis, will still arise as the Crystal's champion. Only once the Crystal and King are no more…can I know redemption. Come back soon. I shall keep your friends company until you are ready."

The light of the Crystal was flooding his vision as he watched Ardyn turn away. Everything was becoming too bright.

"Noct…?"

"Don't let go," he whispered to Prompto. "Keep holding on."

Even when neither of them knew what was going to happen, Noctis was glad Prompto was with him. The thought that he could had done this alone sounded so much worse, now that he knew it would end with the Crystal sucking him in.

Prompto gave him that small sense of calm over everything else, even if he too was now sharing his fate.

Chapter Text

Noctis shut his eyes as the light around him completely flooded his vision, making it too bright to see anything.

A few moments passed, and then Noctis felt like he was floating, still with Prompto clinging to his chest. Slowly, his eyes opened and he looked around, seeing strange colors and magic flowing all around them.

"Prompto, you still with me?" he asked Prompto, finally holding him with both arms.

Prompto nodded. "Y-yeah, just got eaten by a freaking Crystal, no biggie."

"How is it that one, not of royal blood, has entered the Crystal…?" a large booming voice asked.

Noctis looked around to see that they were floating just above a giant armored hand. His eyes widened once he saw who the hand belonged to, seeing that it was an Astral before him. But, it wasn't just any Astral, it was Bahamut; the king of all the Astrals.

Prompto still had his head buried against Noctis's chest, not daring to move it an inch. "Noct, is that…?"

"It's Bahamut; The Draconian."

"That creature should not be allowed in this sacred space. I did not ordain it."

Breathing in deeply, Noctis glared up at Bahamut. He knew he couldn't say whatever he wanted to, knowing how dangerous it was to misspeak in front of an Astral, but he wasn't going to let this slide.

"First, Prompto is not a creature, and second, so what? If he is here, that means the Crystal let him, right? He's with me, and I'm not going to let him be kicked out."

Bahamut was silent for a moment, before humming deeply. "Very well, one chosen by the King of Kings and the Crystal shall be permitted to stay."

"Thank goodness…" Noctis breathed.

"Now, gather strength, O Chosen. The fate of this world falls to the King of Kings, His Providence consecrated in the divine Light of the Crystal. So it is ordained—the revelation of Bahamut," Bahamut then said.

Finally, Prompto stopped clinging to Noctis to look up at Bahamut. "Whoa…This is weird…"

"You're telling me," Noctis replied before some questions started to come to mind. "So, uh, mind explaining what this place is?"

"The heart of the Crystal, wherein lies the soul of the star, and it is in this place that the King will gain the power to fulfill his calling. By the covenants awakened, the Six have seen the coming of the prophesied hour—a time when the Crystal shall have shed the entirety of its Light unto the ring. Only then, once the sacred ring is replete, can the True King complete his ascension. And only by the True King's hand can the immortal Accursed be banished and the Light restored to this world."

"We're actually in the Crystal?" Prompto asked.

"Guess it makes sense. Didn't know this place was actually in the Crystal."

"So, you had to let the Crystal eat you to get you here so you could gain Starscourge killing powers?"

Noctis shrugged. "Can't really question Astral methods or magic, right?"

"Not really planning to, probably would go over my head anyways."

"But if an Astral like Bahamut knows everything… Where are Ignis and Gladio? Are they safe?"

"They stand against the darkness and abide in hope, sustained by faith unfaltering that their King shall arise and bring deliverance."

Noctis sighed with relief. "They're okay… Of course they wouldn't give up hope."

He closed his eyes, thinking for a moment what he would ask next. There was still so much on his mind. "So just who is this Accursed?"

"A man cursed with life eternal, whose immortality stems from the selfsame scourge that wrought the daemons. One so impure of body and soul was deemed unworthy of the Crystal's Light, and forbidden to ascend. His mind twisted by spite and bent on revenge, the Usuper came to bring darkness down upon our world. Only the True King, chosen by the Crystal and guarded by his forebears, can end the Accursed's madness."

"Twisted on revenge… Wait…" The thought came back to him about what Ardyn had been trying to say before. He had talked about redemption once Noctis was the Crystal's Champion.

"Ardyn had said something… He mentioned the name Ardyn Lucis Caelum. If he was telling the truth, are you saying Ardyn is some corrupted, ancient ancestor of mine?"

"He was, but now tainted by the scourge, he is no more man than monster. His madness must be ended as well as his darkness that he brings to this star. With Providence, it can be achieved."

Now they were getting somewhere. Even with the revelation that Ardyn was actually a relative, he had to put that shocking news aside. The fate of his home was more important at the moment, even if something wasn't sitting right about the whole thing.

"What is this 'Providence' anyways?"

"It is the sole means to ending the immortal Accursed. A power greater than even that of the Six, purifying all by the Light of the Crystal and the glaives of rulers past. Only at the throne can the Chosen receive it, and only at the cost of a life: his own. The King of Kings shall be granted the power to banish the darkness, but the blood price must be paid…"

Something in Noctis's heart twisted… he didn't like the sound of where this was going.

"To cast out the Usurper and usher in dawn's light will cost the life of the Chosen. Many sacrificed all for the King; so must the King sacrifice himself for all."

His heart felt like it sunk down into the deepest, unreachable place.

"He has to do what?!"

Noctis turned to his side, seeing Prompto's horrified face. "Prompto, don't."

"It is as it is ordained. The King will give his life, and the star will be ushered into new light once the darkness has been banished."

"B-but you can't! You can't just say that Noctis has to kill himself because you said it has to happen! There has to be some other way! He can't just-"

Noctis grabbed Prompto's arm. "Prom, let it go."

"But Noct, you can't seriously-"

He shook his head, giving a dead serious look. He wasn't about to agree to any of this, but he knew better than to argue with the king of all Astrals.

Prompto looked conflicted. "But I… you… this can't…"

Bahamut pulled his hand away, and the two boys started to float down deeper into the strange ethereal void.

"Now enter into Reflection, that the Light of Providence shine within."

An overwhelming sensation of tirelessness flooded every inch of Noctis's body. Every muscle feeling tired and nearly limp. As his mind was being pulled into a sleepy state, he wrapped his arms around Prompto as tight as he could, practically curling his entire body around him.

"I feel funny… Like really sleepy," Prompto muttered, clinging to Noctis with the same fierceness he had.

"Guess it's some magic…"

"I don't want to be forced to sleep. I'm… it's a little freaky."

Noctis sighed, no longer able to keep his eyes open. "Well, I'm not letting go. I'm… here…"

He couldn't even stay away long enough to hear if Prompto replied, his mind plunging into the deepest and darkest sleep he had ever had.

"The Light waxes full. Go forth to the kingdom, where the Usurper awaits. Reclaim the throne, and fulfill the calling of the True King."

Noctis could hear Bahamut's voice echoing in his mind, but when he slowly opened his eyes, he saw he wasn't in that other realm. Instead, he was someplace that was probably back in Eos.

Taking in his surroundings, he saw that he was in some small stone structure, and that a lot of his hair was now covering half of his face.

He didn't give it much thought as his eyes fell to his right hand, where he saw the light of the Ring of Lucii fading. But that wasn't the only thing there, his hand was wrapped around another hand; Prompto's hand.

Looking properly to his right, he saw Prompto asleep at his side, but for some reason he looked a little different. His hair was longer, no longer styled up in his usual way, and a small beard covered his chin.

"Prompto? Hey, Prompto wake up!" he urged.

Even his own voice sounded a little different… a little deeper.

"Mmm… what?"

Prompto's eyes flickered open before staring right at Noctis. "N-Noct? Is that you?"

"Of course it's me."

Frowning, Prompto reached a hand out, placing it against Noctis's cheek. "But you look so… Your hair is long and you have a beard…"

He could feel the scruff of a beard as Prompto's hand ran over his face. It felt weird and strange; unfamiliar and different.

"You have one too," he replied.

Prompto reeled his hand back, placing it up to his own face, running it up and down the area of the beard.

"What the hell… Noct, how long were we sleeping in the Crystal?"

Noctis shook his head. "Don't know. But let's figure out where we are. I think I have all of the power. Providence or whatever."

Together they got up from the stone seat, looking around until they found a few steps that lead outside.

It was dark outside. Darker than what felt right to Noctis.

"Hey isn't that…"

Noctis looked down and saw that Umbra sat on the beach that surrounded them, holding something in his mouth.

Noctis bent down and took a small note out of the dog's mouth. He looked over it before reading it aloud. "Be waiting… in Hammerhead."

"Who's it from?" Prompto asked.

Noctis shook his head. "It isn't signed. But I think it's Gladio's handwriting."

"Ah Gladio, always one to forget to sign the card."

"Guess that means we need to head to Hammerhead… Wherever that is compared to here."

Prompto hummed as he looked around the beach, trying to look for something before looking completely behind him. "Hey, wait a minute, I recognize these pointy rocks. I think we're on that island thing that was off the coast of Galdin."

Noctis stood up to look as well, seeing exactly the thing that Prompto was talking about. "You're right. But why would Bahamut leave us here?"

Prompto shrugged. "I dunno, you're asking the wrong guy on that one."

"Yeah…" Noctis sighed as he looked around the shore again.

A few feet off to the side he saw none other than his father's boat. It was a bit more worn down than he remembered, but as he went to inspect it, it seemed like it was still seaworthy.

"So, off to Hammerhead?" Prompto asked before boarding the boat.

"Can't think of any place else to go," Noctis said before they cast off.

Driving the boat wasn't all too hard, but the omnibus dark skies were still bothering Noctis. It wasn't like the nighttime sky. It was dark enough, but something still felt wrong. Part of the reason was that he couldn't see any stars. There was nothing in the sky except darkness.

"Something doesn't feel right…" Prompto said as he looked around.

"Yeah," Noctis agreed. "How long were we out?"

"Long enough to get beards apparently," Prompto muttered, going to scratch his beard.

Noctis hummed in agreement. "Yeah. Pretty weird."

"Totally going to shave this off as soon as possible."

"Why? Can't rock the beard?" Noctis joked, trying to make the situation not feel so foreboding.

"Nah, not that. Just kind of hard accepting it. Going from falling asleep in the Crystal with no beard to suddenly BAM beard!"

Noctis could agree on that. For the most part he was trying to ignore that unsettling feeling, but he knew something just felt different. The beard, the longer hair, his voice sounding deeper. Everything felt different, and it was hard to wrap his head around it without feeling completely off put.

"Guess we better put razors on the list."

"Noted!"

Soon Galdin Quay's docks were coming into view, but just like the skies, they too felt wrong. Everything was dark there too… and with high signs of abandonment. It almost looked like a scene out of an apocalyptic horror film, the ones he used to love watching with Prompto.

"Shit," Prompto cursed as they docked. "Think all of this happened while we were doing stuff in Gralea?"

"Don't know, but I'm not liking it. There's no one… not one sign of anyone."

Prompto frowned. "We didn't come back to a zombie apocalypse, did we?"

It seemed Prompto was having the same exact thoughts as him.

"Gods, I hope not."

After disembarking, daemons started to show up all around them. Noctis summoned a sword while Prompto had his guns, and the two went right into striking down the daemons.

"Daemons everywhere. The hell happened?"

"Wish I had an answer, but it's really starting to feel apocalyptic."

"We'll find people, and then we'll see what happened."

Eventually, they gave up trying to fight off every little daemon that came at them. There were just far too many, and no signs of them stopping. So, they went onward, making their way through the ruins of Galdin Quay as quickly as they could. What was once a beautiful resort, a place he would have loved to vacation too, now a desolate wasteland.

It really wasn't sitting well with Noctis.

Even when trying to avoid the daemons, there were just some larger ones that they had to stop and fight off. After warping into one, he was ready to strike it again when out of nowhere Prompto appeared in a sparkle of blue and shot at the daemon, effectively killing it.

Noctis looked at him, his brows furrowing. "Prom… did you just warp at the daemon?"

Prompto looked dumbfounded, staring down at his own hands. "I think I did? I saw the daemon and after you warped, I felt magic in me, telling me to jump forward. Then I did."

Noctis hadn't really noticed it before, but he could almost sense the magic coming off of Prompto. It was still the magic that he had granted him, but now it felt stronger, like how a Kingsglaive could learn to strengthen the magic they were bestowed.

"Noct? What is it? You're staring weirdly."

"I think you, being in the Crystal with me, must have done something."

"Like what?" Prompto asked.

"I don't know. Maybe when I was gaining all my power from the Ring and Crystal, it kind of rubbed off on you?"

Prompto looked at his hands again before staring at Noctis. "You're saying I got like, second hand super King of Light magic?"

"Maybe, only one way to find out," Noctis said before turning his attention to more approaching daemons.

He watched Prompto carefully as he fought, seeing as he tried warping again. It seemed to come so easily for him, as if he had known how to do it all his life. He even accidentally summoned a magic shield around him before a daemon could get the jump on him.

"That felt so cool!" Prompto said, running back up to Noctis's side.

After taking out more daemons, they finally had arrived at the edge of Galdin Quay, getting far away from the ominous abandoned resort.

"Yeah? I'm glad. You're a natural magic user."

"Oh dude, wait does that mean I could actually use elemental magic? Like your dad could?"

Noctis shrugged. "Maybe. Only reason I could never do that was due to my childhood injury, but that shouldn't stop you."

"I'll try it on the next daemon I see!"

"I'd like to see you try it."

"Heh, thanks. Also hey, isn't this the main road?"

Despite how dark it was, Noctis could see the change from grass to pavement. This was the road they had all driven down so long ago when they first set out on this journey.

Before Noctis could ponder about anything else, Umbra, who had stayed alongside them the entire time, started barking.

"What is it, boy?" he asked before looking in the direction Umbra was looking. "Something's coming."

"People? More daemons?" Prompto asked.

A few seconds passed and a truck came around the far bend in the road.

"It's a truck," Noctis stated.

"Thank goodness! I was not in the mood to have us walk all the way to Hammerhead!"

The truck pulled over once it spotted the two, coming to a stop just a couple feet ahead of them. Noctis and Prompto walked up to the front, watching as a young man peered out of the window.

"Uh…" he started to say, looking a little caught off guard.

"Yeah? Uh, hi?" Noctis tried.

"It's me, Talcott," the young man said suddenly. "My grandpa served the Amicitia family?"

Noctis's jaw dropped. "Talcott?!"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"No way," Noctis gawked.

"Double no way from me too," Prompto added.

Talcott smiled. "Yes way. Welcome back, Prompto and Your Majesty."

"Dude, you're really little Talcott?!" Prompto exclaimed.

"I really am him. Come on in you two, and I can explain everything."

Feeling a small bit of nervousness to learn what happened, Noctis reached over to hold Prompto's hand. Even if they didn't get a lot of time to express their feelings to one another, ever since revealing it, he didn't worry about trying to hold Prompto's hand. It brought a sense of comfort and ease to him anyway, and he knew Prompto appreciated it too from the way he gently squeezed his hand.

Together, they got into Talcott's truck, with Noctis sitting closest to him and Prompto at the window. Now all together in the truck, with Umbra sitting in the back, they were on their way to Hammerhead, ready to learn just what happened to their beloved Eos.

Chapter Text

Before Talcott could give any answers, he said he had to make a quick call. He was on the phone for only a few minutes, explaining where he had been and how he had stumbled across Noctis and Prompto.

"Yes, sir," he said to whomever was on the other line. Noctis had guesses, but wasn't going to question it. "That… that's right. Hm? Just a second."

Talcott handed the phone over to Noctis. "Said he wants to have a word with you?"

Noct shook his head. "He can have it in person."

Talcott shrugged before he put the phone back to his own ear. "He said you can have it in person. Okay. We should be there shortly, sir."

After the phone call was over, Talcott let out a long sigh. "Wow. I can't tell you how good it is to see you two again."

"You're telling me!" Prompto laughed. "You're no longer a little kid!"

"Yeah," Noctis added. "You sure look different."

Talcott gave a soft smile. "You think so? Guess I've grown some these ten years."

Noctis felt like he stopped breathing.

He couldn't have possibly heard Talcott right.

The thought of it being true scared him more than anything else so far, but he didn't have the courage to try and say anything.

Thankfully, Prompto seemed to be the one to ask the burning question aloud.

"D-did you say ten years?"

"Yup. It's gone by quicker than I would've thought."

Ten years.

They were in the Crystal for ten years.

Noctis felt like he was going to be sick, trying his best to keep his stomach from acting up on him.

He felt Prompto's hand on his arm, beginning to rub it gently. He glanced over to him, seeing the same dreadful expression that he was probably showing.

"You guys okay?"

"Sorry," Noctis breathed out slowly. "We didn't know… how long it's been."

Talcott raised an eyebrow. "You didn't? I, uh, I'm sorry. I thought you two were somewhere knowing how much time passed."

"We didn't know that any time passed, not much anyway," Noctis replied, running his fingers over his beard.

"Well, don't worry, the guys are doing fine. They must be pinching themselves right now, knowing I'm bringing you two back."

"Where are they anyway?"

"Lestallum, more often than not, but they take a lot of trips to Hammerhead."

"For…?"

"For Miss Cindy. Y'know, back at the garage. She's a tough one, but when she needs a little extra muscle out on the road, she gives 'em a call."

"Huh…"

Noctis listened to Talcott as he explained, giving a little story about Cindy and how she has been doing through the years. He was starting to get his answers, but he didn't feel as engaged as he felt he should've been. He had missed out on those ten years, an entire decade. All those years of him sleeping and everyone else doing important stuff.

"Well, good to know that Cindy's doing alright!" Prompto pipped in.

"Everyone's been doing the best they can. But, oh, speaking of which, the guys said they're near Hammerhead right now, so we'll be meeting them there. Y'know, ever since you two disappeared, specifically you, Your Majesty, it's been nothing but nighttime nonstop. Lestallum still has light, thanks to the power plant… so just about everyone's taken refuge there."

Great. Just another thing that started to weigh on Noctis's conscience.

"Only there?" he asked, trying to shove the feelings away.

"Everywhere else's been abandoned. Daemons moved in, forcing the people to move out. People still swing by the garage at Hammerhead from time to time, but it usually isn't for repairs. These days, it's less of a service station and more of a "slayer station"—a base for daemon-hunting. The garage's still open, though…one of the few places that is," Talcott explained.

"So it really is like an apocalypse…" Prompto whispered.

Noctis hated that it was true, and he hated that his lack of being around basically caused it

"So, um…Cid. Is he still alive and kicking?"

Talcott nodded. "He's kicking alright, just not as hard as before. He hasn't really been himself lately. At least, not since he moved out to Lestallum. Someone suggested he move the garage there, too… but old man Cid wasn't having it. He called it 'a big, fat chocobo turd of an idea.' Said it just wouldn't be the same anywhere else."

Noctis gave a little smile, trying to find some relief that some things didn't change. "That sounds like Cid alright."

"So, what about the others?" Prompto asked. "Like Iris! Is she okay?"

"She's doing fine. With all the daemons prowling around, more folk were getting hurt… or worse. So Iris talked the marshal into taking out the daemons themselves. 'Iris the Daemon Slayer,' they call her. Gladio and the others, they lend 'em a hand whenever they can."

"Dude, that sounds so badass!" Prompto exclaimed. "I bet Gladio is super proud of her!"

"Proud, but still very protective of her," Talcott admitted. "But seeing her in combat is something you have to see to believe."

Hearing how everyone was doing was nice, but there was still one person Noctis had yet to hear about.

"And Ignis?" he finally asked.

"He hunts, too. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. He said, if anything, he's more used to the darkness than we are," Talcott said.

Noctis sighed, relieved but saddened at the same time. "Never did get his vision back…"

Talcott hummed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid not. But, that being said, he gets by pretty well on his own. Gladio usually hunts on his own too. It isn't often you see the two of them together nowadays. They still work as a team every once in a while, but each has his own set of tasks to keep him busy."

Humming, Noctis leaned back in his seat, letting the guilt eat away at him. "Is that so?"

"Hey," Prompto whispered. "They're still alive. That's what counts."

"Yeah… I know…"

It didn't mean he felt good about it… about any of it.

A few more turns around the road and they could see bright lights in the distance. "We've arrived, Your Majesty. Everyone'll be so happy to see you. Don't worry, I won't be going anywhere. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks, Talcott," Noctis replied softly.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Noctis bit his lip, trying to ignore the fact that Talcott was only referring to him by his title. He knew that he never got to know Talcott well enough for nicknames, but there felt like there was a distance between them when the title was used.

"Hey, I see Ignis and Gladio standing there! Let's go see them," Prompto said in a cheerful tone.

"Yeah," Noctis agreed.

Prompto stepped out of the car first and Noctis followed, keeping his eyes locked on Gladio and Ignis who stood a few feet before him.

"Guys!" Prompto waved happily.

Noctis gave a small wave. "Hey."

Gladio snorted as he came up to Noctis and Prompto. "Really? That's all you two have to say to us after all this time?"

Noctis shrugged as Gladio gave him a playful shove. "Sorry."

"Eh, it just makes for a more dramatic entrance doesn't it?" Prompto asked, chuckling as if it wasn't anything major.

"I suppose," Ignis replied. "You two have kept us waiting."

Another hit in the guilt zone, just another one to pile up on the rest.

He walked up to Ignis, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Not like I wanted us to. We've got catching up to do"

"Then let's head inside."

Sitting inside Taka's diner, Noctis tried taking everything in. Even something as simple as the diner that they ate at so often between hunts was changed. It was now full of equipment and other supplies, nothing like what a diner was supposed to be.

He wasn't even sure if the diner was operational anymore, not giving any faint smell of food that should've been cooking.

"So, what's there to talk about?" Prompto asked as he sat down on one of the couches.

Noctis followed, sitting down next to him. Despite both of them looking ten years older, Prompto was there from the moment they entered the Crystal and exited. He felt like he would be lost, unable to process anything if he had to sit alone.

"How about we start with your reckless decision?" Gladio asked, sitting on the couch adjacent to the two of them.

Prompto pouted. "I wasn't being reckless…"

"You ran off, leaving Iggy and I to deal with the daemons."

"I couldn't let Noct go alone… and now I'm extremely glad that I went with," Prompto huffed.

Gladio sighed, shaking his head. He crossed his arms and leaned back. "I'm not pissed at you anymore if that's what you're worried about. Was at first, but Ignis eventually got me to understand that you were with Noct, and we should be thankful he wasn't on his own. Keeping him company and all over these ten years."

Prompto gave a half smile. "Y-yeah, if you could even call it that."

"What do you mean by that?" Ignis inquired.

Prompto looked over to Noctis. "Want me to explain? Or you want to?"

Noctis swallowed. "Bahamut, he was in the Crystal after we… got sucked into it. Told me what I had to do in the Prophecy… then we slept."

Gladio raised an eyebrow. "You slept for the entire decade? Seriously?"

"I didn't ask to be forced to sleep for ten years," Noctis muttered.

"But that was the requirement to gain all the power that you needed?"

Noctis nodded. "Seems like it. I can feel the difference."

"Good to hear, guess we can rely on one of you to know what you're doing," Gladio chuckled.

"Hey!" Prompto interjected. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You slept along with him, didn't you? Means you still got the same experience that you did before that."

"So does Noct!" Prompto argued. "Besides, some of his magic rubbed off on me while we slept!"

Gladio looked a little curious. "It did?"

Prompto nodded. "I warped as if I had been doing it for years, and I never warped before. I even conjured up one of those magic shields like the Glaive could do."

Both Ignis and Gladio looked a little surprised.

"Perhaps it is too soon to judge, Gladio," Ignis spoke. "But we shall see once we are out in the field."

"Yeah, speaking of that. You guys have a plan?" Noctis asked.

"We do, and we can explain it all in due time, but I think it's best if we give you time to adjust to being back. Maybe we can see how well you have improved in combat with some training."

Noctis agreed, though he wasn't really in the mood for it at the moment. All he felt like doing was sitting there, letting his thoughts continue to drown him as he absorbed every reminder of everything he missed.

He had tried not to look too much before, but Ignis and Gladio also looked much older. Gladio's hair was longer, along with a fuller beard. Ignis's scars had faded, but he still wore a visor, and his hair was a little different, but still styled in a way that felt reminiscent.

They had matured and grown in ways Noctis would probably never get to learn. Sure, he could ask for their stories, but he hadn't been there, and it would only continue to fuel the empty burning in him.

"Wanna walk around and talk to people? You know, to figure out what's happened in the last ten years" Prompto asked, snapping him away from his misery.

Part of him didn't want to. He didn't want even more reason to feel like he had abandoned everyone. But he knew he couldn't let the others know how he was falling apart inside. He had to keep a strong face, pretending he was as strong as a king was expected to be.

"Sure. Let's look around," he agreed.

"Let us know if you need anything," Ignis said.

He let Prompto practically guide him back outside. There were a few Hunters walking around, but Talcott was still there.

Noctis decided to go and talk to him, and as they talked he still proved to be the kid that had so much more knowledge than the rest. He helped explain things like what happened to the imperial army and the empire. More about what the daemons actually were, and even things about what had happened with Accordo.

Then Talcott said something that really caught his interest.

"The chancellor's still around, though…in Insomnia. Nobody who saw him had any clue what he might have been up to, but their stories piqued Ignis's curiosity. I ended up helping Ignis look into the matter, digging through old records, even joining him on trips to the royal tombs."

"Always something to do with the royal tombs, isn't it?"

Talcott shrugged. "It's cool, I'm a bit of a history buff myself. But we did discover something pretty weird."

"What did you find out?" Prompto asked.

"While we were poring over all those ancient texts, one name caught our eye: Ardyn's. Apparently he was hailed as a savior, healing all those who were ravaged by daemons… only to end up branded a daemon himself… a dubious charge, I'd say. By all accounts, he was just as human as you and me."

"Hey Noct, doesn't that line up with what Bahamut said? You know about Ardyn and being immortal and stuff?"

"I think so," Noctis agreed.

It did make him wonder, thinking about how this prophecy had been around for many centuries. Did it only come into place once Ardyn became corrupted by the Starscourge, or had Bahamut declared it long before that? Noctis wished he had those answers, but he knew there wasn't a lot of time to dive into figuring it out.

But it did give him a feeling that Bahamut had been hiding something, keeping some information a secret from everyone.

When Talcott finished giving as much information that he could, Prompto and Noctis began walking around more.

"Everything looks so different. Guess a lot really can change in ten years…" Prompto commented.

"Yeah…"

Prompto stopped walking, turning to look at Noctis. "Noct, you okay, buddy?"

"What?"

"Ever since we ran into Talcott you've been kind of uncharacteristically quiet. Something bugging you?"

Prompto knew him all too well, being able to read him from only a few words said. But it didn't mean he was willing to talk about it, not yet at least.

"Taking in everything… it's just a lot."

"Yeah, I know how you feel. It all feels so weird to be here, like, we're out of place or something."

Out of place was one way to describe it, seeing as they literally had no idea how much time had passed until Talcott told them.

It took everything in his mind and body to keep pushing forward, knowing that Ignis and Gladio were expecting him to be strong. Everyone was expecting that of him. They waited for ten years for him to return, and now he had to save everyone and banish the darkness, and in turn sacrifice his life to do it.

How was he ever supposed to be okay with that?

Suddenly, Prompto was hugging him tightly, pressing his face up against his.

"Huh? Prom…?"

"You kind of spaced out there, Noct. Are you sure you're okay?"

He wanted to hold back, trying to deny everything, but being in Prompto's arms, he felt a little more vulnerable to tell the truth.

Only a little, but not enough yet.

"I'll tell you later, okay?"

"Hmm, if you say so. But don't forget I'm here to listen."

Noctis reached his arms around Prompto, giving him a hug in return. "Thanks. Glad you're with me."

"Hey, I told you that I was ever at your side, didn't I? That means I stick with you through it all. Through everything."

Noctis was more than grateful for Prompto being a part of his life. That sense of calm that he gave was exactly what he needed right now. Even with the future of his life looking grim, he was thankful for the time he had right now with Prompto. He only wished he could make it last longer.

Chapter Text

The caravan was the place to meet once Prompto and Noctis finished looking around the fortressed Hammerhead. When they arrived, Ignis was already cooking a meal for them, and the smell was just as heavenly as he remembered. 

"Ignis, you're really cooking like you used to," he stated before he dug into the meal.

Ignis nodded. "More or less. I can manage with far less help than I required before."

"Dude, that's so awesome!" Prompto cheered. "And it tastes even better too."

"My taste buds agree on that," Noctis chuckled.

It was good to see a grin across Ignis's face, smiling like he had long before Altissia. "Perhaps I've developed a culinary sixth sense."

"Oh em gee, that sounds so awesome."

"I'm glad that my culinary skills can still be appreciated."

As they ate, the conversations went on, with Ignis and Gladio doing most of the talking. They talked about their adventures through the years, telling stories of their highs and lows. There were a lot of stories, not enough to fill in one evening, but they told some of the best ones.

Including the fact that Gladio was apparently engaged.

"You're serious?!" Prompto gasped.

"Yeah, but we're waiting until the light comes back before any wedding plans. So hold your horses."

"And he's been so secretive that I haven't even met this mysterious woman," Ignis commented.

Prompto groaned. "So you're just pulling our legs? Come on!"

Gladio shook his head. "Not pulling anyone's. Just can't in good conscience leave a girl to worry while I rush headlong into danger. Once we save everything, then we can make plans."

"Right," Noctis sighed.

"And maybe once everything's over, we could make a double wedding out of it," Gladio chuckled.

Noctis stared. "What?"

"You're not going to go marry Prompto when we're done here?"

Heat burned across his cheeks as he tried to keep his glare at Gladio. "What the hell?!"

"It's been ten years, but I didn't forget the way you two were looking at one another back in the Zegnautus Keep. The two of you stared at each other like lovestruck idiots."

"And you think it's okay to just call us out on it?" Prompto asked, his face just as red as Noctis's.

"Why not? You two thinking of not getting together after all of this?"

"That's not–! Ugh, you can't just ask a guy stuff like that!" Prompto groaned.

Noctis stayed quiet, his thoughts swimming again. The aspect of marrying Prompto sounded nice. It sounded wonderful in fact, considering he had started imagining the idea back when they were in the Zegnautus Keep.

But even with the idea, he couldn't hold on to it. With the cost of his life being the price to pay to bring back the light, Noctis knew there was no point in dreaming of his future. He had no future after this.

"Come on, you two seriously can't still be pinning. You'd think-"

"Gladio enough," Ignis said, cutting him off. "Leave them be on the subject. If they don't wish to think about it now, then they shouldn't be pushed."

While thankful for Ignis's interruption, there was something about his tone that made Noctis curious. It almost seemed like he didn't want the topic brought up at all, shutting it down completely. Noctis was going to have to question him later on that.

"We don't have to leave right away, if you feel that you need more time to settle, we can take a day if you wish. One day in the grand scheme of things won't hurt," Ignis stated.

"I think… that would be nice," Noctis admitted. "Even after sleeping for ten years… I still feel tired."

Ignis nodded. "Take some time to rest then, come find us when you are ready."

Gladio and Ignis walked away, leaving Noctis alone with Prompto.

"Want me to go too? Or…?"

"Stay," Noctis whispered, grabbing onto Prompto's wrist.

Together, they walked into the caravan, heading back behind the curtain where the beds were. Upon sitting down, Noctis leaned against Prompto, taking in deep breaths.

"So, is now the time to talk, or are we just going to be relaxing?"

With another deep breath, Noctis slowly let his walls start to crumple. His voice became shaky as he started to cling to Prompto.

"This really sucks."

"Yeah… I hate it too."

"Prom, we slept for ten years!" he hissed. "None of this feels right."

"I know," Prompto replied, stroking Noctis's head.

"Last I remember we were twenty, not thirty! I don't feel like thirty, only that I'm more tired and full of magic."

Prompto nodded. "Me too. It kind of worries me when I'll have to look in the mirror."

"Gods, I don't even want to think about that," Noctis groaned. "I don't want to think about any of this."

"Wanna just lay down and sleep a little? Take your mind off it?"

"Maybe…"

Prompto pulled Noctis down to the bed with him, adjusting himself so Noctis could curl up against him. "Let's just take a nap or something. Just for a little."

Noctis grumbled. "And maybe we'll wake up and this will all be a dream."

"Would be nice… I kind of would've liked to live out my 20s."

Wave of uncertainty suddenly struck Noctis. An overwhelming flood of emotions decided to conquer his brain as he began to cry.

"Noct?"

"S-sorry…"

He didn't want to cry in front of Prompto. Even when he felt he could be more honest and vulnerable, the last thing he wanted to do was show how weak he felt inside.

"No, don't be sorry. It's okay. Let it all out."

"But I…"

"You gotta cry when it hits you, holding it back makes it hurt later on. Trust me, I know."

Shuddering, Noctis held himself tighter to Prompto. "Why did Bahamut make this happen? Why do I have to go away for so long only to come b-back to die!"

"No one said you're going to die," Prompto replied quickly.

"Bahamut did, remember? It's the prophecy… The world can't be saved unless I f-fucking die for it."

Now, Prompto was running his hands up and down Noctis's back. "There has to be another way. Maybe you only need to spill some blood? Or maybe die is just metaphorical and it's the 'royal Noctis' that has to die and you can become just 'regular Noctis'."

"Don't think that's," he paused as he choked on a sob. "That's not what Bahamut w-wants."

"Well, screw what he wants. Why does he get to decide your fate?" Prompto huffed.

"Because it's the prophecy," Noctis muttered.

"That's a stupid reason."

Noctis tried to say more, but his mind decided it was better if he sobbed instead. He couldn't stop himself as his tears soaked up Prompto's shirt.

Prompto didn't pressure him to talk after that, only rubbing his back as he let all of his emotions pour out. He cried until he had no more tears left in him, though his heart and mind still burned with plenty of pain to spare.

He had calmed down enough that he could properly cuddle Prompto on the small bed.

"I really hate this."

"You said that already."

"Well, I'm going to keep saying it. Cause I hate that I was forced against my will to let my home fall to a decade of daemons and darkness… away from everyone."

Prompto sighed. "Hmm, yeah… I keep thinking about that too."

"Maybe you shouldn't have followed me," Noctis said. He didn't actually believe what he was saying, but part of him did wonder if Prompto was regretting his choices.

Prompt stopped rubbing for a moment, letting out a discontent grumble. "What? And then what? Have me suffer ten years all awake and on my own without you? No thanks, I'd rather not."

"But are you really okay with the fact you were stuck with me in the Crystal for that long?"

"Never said I was okay with that part. It wasn't in your control anyways. But being with you? I'm not regretting that choice one bit."

Noctis looked up at Prompto, seeing the fierce determination in his eyes. "Prom…"

"I love you, Noct. I'll stick with you through everything, even if it is some stupid so-called prophecy given to us by an Astral."

"But even after I-"

Prompto shook his head. "You're not going to die. There has to be another way."

"If only…"

"Didn't Bahamut say getting all your powers would make you more powerful than the Six? What if we just… you know…"

"I'm in no mood to take on an Astral… even if it does sound promising," Noctis muttered. "We have to save Eos, and that means going along with what 'has been preordained'. I can't let everyone go any longer in this darkness."

Prompt chuckled. "Still trying to sound kingly I see."

A small attempt at humor was enough to make Prompto smile. "Even if I'm upset about all of this, I have to try to be mature, right? Gladio and Ignis probably would expect that of me."

"I like when you act mature, looks really good on you."

"Thanks, Prom. And, if we can find a way, I'll try my best to live."

Prompto leaned his face in closer, giving Noctis a long stare. "You better. I don't want our confession and one single kiss to be the only romance we ever had."

That was something Noctis had ignored thinking about among many other things. To him and Prompto, their confession only happened a day or so ago. It was still fresh in his mind from the moment he confessed in the cave to the kiss they shared at the Crystal.

All of it still felt fresh and new to him, and he still craved more.

"Guess we need to make up for lost time," he said before he gave Prompto a small kiss.

Prompto looked at him in shock. "R-right now?"

"Better now then never. Made the mistake of waiting five years before I confessed, now we lost ten years when we could have had something… So why not?"

"Well, if you're sure, then guess there's nothing to lose," Prompto replied before giving his own kiss in return.

Giving each other soft kisses, Noctis was able to fall into a small pocket of bliss. For a little while, nothing around him mattered. The only thing that mattered in that moment was Prompto, and expressing the love he had for him.

Chapter Text

Prompto and Noctis had their small, private moment together, and while it was no solution for everything else, it did bring some amount of happiness in their dire world. Prompto could hold Noctis safely in his arms, and for a little while he could pretend that nothing was wrong.

Their chests were pressed together, letting their hearts hear one another and beat in sync. Something like this had always been a secret fantasy for him. To be in bed with Noctis, expressing their love to one another. He had dreamed about it many times.

But, like everything else that had happened, the dream had to end and soon they would have to return to reality. As much as he didn't want to let go, he couldn't be so selfish, not when the world was at stake.

They had their nap, which ended up being much longer and needed sleep. Despite having slept in the Crystal for 10 years, it seemed they needed a proper sleep.

Though Prompto had hoped for sunlight when he woke, he glanced out the window to see nothing but the same eerie gray skies as before.

'There's got to be some way to save Noct, and save Eos. It can't be all grim, predetermined shit.'

"Prom?"

He sighed, wishing that he had more time. "Yeah, Noct?"

"We should probably get up soon. Don't want to keep everyone waiting."

Humming in agreement, Prompto slowly let go of Noctis. "I know…"

Together, they got up and headed out of the caravan, finding Ignis and Gladio nearby.

"Did you two enjoy a night to yourselves?" Gladio chuckled.

Prompto blushed. "Shut up."

Gladio only laughed. "Of course you two are still shy. I'll give it time, then I'll be teasing you guys in full force."

Noctis groaned. "Whatever."

"But if the two of you are done, I take it we can prepare to head out?" Ignis inquired.

"Better not keep everyone waiting," Noctis replied.

"If we're heading out, you two should get yourself a trim. Can't have our King and one of his Crownsguards looking like hobos."

Ignis chuckled. "Is it really that bad, Gladio?"

"If you could see it, you would faint at how disheveled your King has become."

Prompto huffed. "We'll clean up then! Anyone here have a razor and stuff?"

Gladio grinned cockily. "Do either of you even know how to shave?"

"Can't be that hard," Noctis shrugged.

"There should be some supplies in the storage areas," Ignis said. "I shall go and ask for you."

Ignis walked away and returned a few moments later with two razors, a comb, a pair of scissors, and shaving cream. Prompto took the items and glanced at Noctis. Neither of them had to say what they were both thinking, both feeling the same on the subject ever since waking up.

"Just… give us a little longer?" Noctis replied softly.

"Take what time you need, and don't feel bad if you need to ask for help."

Prompto and Noctis shuffled off to the caravan again, entering into the small bathroom it had. As much as Prompto wanted to avoid it, he had to face his reflection, seeing what 10 years had done to him.

He could see how much older his face was. From his jawline to his eyes, everything seemed to be a little more refined. The longer hair and beard covering his face also was a big, sore reminder that he had been gone for far too long.

"So, who's going first?" he asked, glancing over to Noctis.

Noctis brushed back some of the hair covering half of his face. "I guess start with me? I'm the one who looks like some former musician who couldn't let go of his old hairstyle?"

Prompto snorted. "I can see it. But, let's see what I can do! Want it to look like your own hairstyle or…?"

"Something close… Try to keep most of the hair out of my face, okay?"

Taking the pair of scissors and the comb, Prompto started to study Noctis's face. "Well, I've never cut anyone's hair before, but I'll give it my best shot!"

"I trust you," Noctis whispered.

It was a phrase so simple, but it was still enough to make Prompto's heart flutter.

"Thanks. Now let's get started."

By the end, Prompto had managed to clean up Noctis's hair, giving him a much more presentable look. His hair was now out of his face, outside of one strand of hair that Prompto had cut a little too short, but Noctis said he didn't mind.

"Ready for me to cut yours back to your usual chocobo butt?"

Prompto chuckled. "You really miss the chocobo style?"

"Yeah, it's familiar…" Noctis muttered. He ran his fingers through one of Prompto's longer strands. "But long hair doesn't look half bad."

"You think?" Prompto raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

"Yeah."

"In that case, keep it like this. Just, y'know, trim it to look neat."

"You sure?"

Prompto nodded. "Why not?"

He glanced at his reflection, still a little surprised by his older look. It would take a while to get used to that. But, if he was going to try, might as well stick with it.

Noctis started to comb Prompto's hair. "Okay, guess we're both trying something new."

"Yeah. And what about the beards?"

"Probably will keep mine. Kind of reminds me of my dad's when I was younger. A king looks better if he's got a good beard, right?"

As Noctis clipped away some hair, Prompto started to laugh. "Guess you have a point. A baby faced king isn't really the most intimidating."

"I don't think I'd be that baby faced…"

"Heh, well I think I may shave mine. Not sure if I'm ready for beard life just yet."

Soon, Noctis had finished trimming Prompto's hair, and all that was left was for Prompto to shave off his beard that had grown from their time in the Crystal.

"You know what? I'm glad we don't have actual 10 years worth of hair and beard," Noctis commented jokingly.

It was something Prompto had thought about, but he hadn't given much time to question it before. "Does that mean Bahamut was trimming our hair so we didn't end up with several feet of hair?"

Noctis shuddered. "I don't want to think about that being a possibility."

"Well, guess we should be thankful, otherwise we'd really be needing a long barber shop trip."

When Prompto had finished, and his face was clean once more, the two of them headed back out to meet with Ignis and Gladio. Now they could be ready to move out, preparing to take the trip back to Insomnia.

Before they headed out, Ignis suggested they change into more appropriate attire. Apparently, all those ten years ago, there were Kingsglaive uniforms given to Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto to wear during the would've-been wedding in Altissia. Prompto didn't really remember that discussion all too well, but with everything that happened, he didn't fret too much over it.

Soon, he was dressed up in the uniform along with the other two while Noctis was dressed in a very formal kingly uniform. It was one much like King Regis wore, and the more Prompto ended up staring, he could see how much Noct really did look like his father, with a solemn expression to top it all off.

Together, they got into a vehicle and headed off back towards Insomnia, driving along the dark and eerie road, avoiding any daemons that appeared out at the barren landscape. As they rode, Prompto noticed how upset Noctis looked, seeing what Eos had become.

He couldn't really blame him. He felt the same too, seeing the beautiful world they once ventured across now cast in a never ending darkness.

Soon, they arrived on the outskirts of Insomnia. From there, it was decided they would make the rest of the journey on foot.

"Before we make the final trek into the city, shall we make camp? There is a haven close by if you recall," Ignis said as they walked down the road..

"One last camp?" Noctis said softly.

"Might as well," Gladio said.

Setting up camp felt as if it were yesterday to Noctis, and to him it really was. For Gladio and Ignis it was 10 years. As far as Noctis knew, Gladio and Ignis didn't go around camping together for the last decade. For them, this was like reliving old memories, and it only riddled Noctis with more guilt.

As the campfire was starting to flicker to life, Noctis glanced at Ignis. There was something Ignis had said before that made him wonder. It wasn't exactly anything odd, but it was the tone of his voice.

"Hey, Ignis? Got a minute?"

"Something you need, Noct?"

"Just a moment, if it's alright."

The two walked to the edge of the haven. Noctis's mind raced with what he wanted to say, trying to find the right way to put his words.

"So, y'know, looking back… It wasn't all bad," he started.

"I suppose we had some fun along the way."

"And our fair share of trouble, too… But I don't have any regrets. Luna and you guys brought me this far, and now I'm on my own."

"No. You won't be going alone."

There was that tone again. His tone implied he wanted to say more than what he was really saying.

"Ignis. You know… Don't you?"

Ignis sighed. "I wouldn't have the slightest idea what you mean."

Of course Ignis would try to deflect it. He was good at avoiding things like that. "You told Gladio to stop teasing me and Prompto about the idea of a wedding. You dismissed it instead of teasing like I thought you would."

"And if I thought it was inappropriate at the time?"

"Ignis." Noctis breathed in deeply, trying to keep a calm composure.

"I suppose I can't keep lying… It's true. I do know what fate lies ahead of you."

That was all Noctis needed to settle the slight unease he had bubbling. "That's why in Altissia… When you tried to tell me we should stop our journey."

"I couldn't bear to tell you the truth. I thought of it, but once I saw your determination to keep going, I thought it was frivolous to try and keep persisting," Ignis replied.

"And all this time? All these years? You kept it to yourself?"

Ignis nodded. "If I were to tell anyone, I feared they would lose hope in the future. I'm sorry, Noct. I should have said something sooner."

There was no point in trying to argue with Ignis. Sure, Noctis could say a million things that came rushing to his mind, but he held back. Now was not the time to dig up the past for Ignis. That was all long in the past for him, and Noctis knew it wouldn't be right to guilt his Advisor anymore than he was probably feeling.

"It's fine. Really, I uh, I'm thankful that you stayed by my side even knowing that."

Reaching forward, Noctis grabbed one of Ignis's hands, much like how he did as a child.

Ignis gave him a smile in return. "I would never abandon you, Noct. No matter what the future showed."

"Thanks… Thanks for everything, Iggy."

"You're welcome. Noct. However, there is one thing that I feel I should mention."

"And what's that?"

Ignis sighed. "The vision that I was granted, I saw what lies ahead for you, but what I saw didn't have Prompto."

Noctis wasn't going to pry to see exactly what the vision held, he already had a good feeling what it probably was. But, the comment did make him think. He could recall how Bahamut seemed annoyed that Prompto had entered the Crystal with him.

It did make him wonder if something had changed. If Prompto's involvement had made his future differ ever so slightly, then maybe he wouldn't have to worry so much.

"Oh," he finally replied. "Well, I guess that's something interesting. Don't know what to make of it, but I'll keep it in mind."

"Of course, Noct. I only wish there was more I could do."

"You've done more than enough. Just don't worry, okay? We're going to get through this." Noctis paused before adding, "but maybe indulge in a little teasing like Gladio does? I know… it's not much, but it's nice to know that the two of you support me and Prompto."

Ignis chuckled. "It is rather heartwarming to know that you opened your feelings to one another."

"Yeah, who would've thought it?"

"Oh, I had the occasional theory, but I didn't ask at the time."

Noctis raised an eyebrow. "You did?

"It wasn't hard to read your expression Noctis. You used to try and steal quick glances towards Prompto when you thought no one would notice."

Noctis rubbed the back of his neck, remembering those moments that went all the way back to his high school years. He would spend so many moments trying to stare at Prompto, admiring his smile or his laugh. He had kept it all to himself back then, thinking it would never be something he could have.

If only he could go back to that moment to tell himself not to give up. To not lose hope, knowing that it would all work out in the future.

There was no changing the past unfortunately, but he could at least try to shape the future from here.

"I'm glad you are happy for us. I just… want to say thanks again. You've always been great by my side, and I couldn't have made it this far without you or the others."

Finally, after holding onto Ignis's hand for so long, he let go and moved forward to embrace Ignis.

"I'm happy to call you my brother, Iggy," he whispered.

"As am I, Noct," Ignis replied, giving his return hug.

They stayed there for a few moments, letting the moment sink in. But, just like everything else, he couldn't linger too long. If he wanted to bring a brighter future for his friends and everyone else on Eos, then he had to keep moving forward.

However, there was still more on his heart and mind that he had to get out there. With the fire at the camp now crackling warmly, it felt like the right kind of place to give a speech on what he was feeling inside.

Chapter Text

What happened next was even harder for Noctis. He thought a private talk with Ignis would be a heavy toll on his mind, but having to speak to everyone in front of the campfire hit differently. 

The last campfire…  the possible final campfire. 

Even with those dreary thoughts plaguing his mind, he went on speaking to everyone, giving a speech that expressed his deepest inner feelings. 

For the first time in who knew how long, he felt like he could get everything he needed off his chest, even if it did make the tears roll. 

But, he got through it and said what needed to be said. He spoke what was on his mind, and told the three people he cared about most in the world everything. 

Now all that was left was to rest up before the uncertain final battle. 

In the tent, Noctis laid down by Prompto’s side, snuggling up close to him. 

“Hey,” Prompto whispered. 

“Hey,” Noctis whispered back. 

“So… We’re really going forward with all of this?”

“There’s not much else we can do,” Noctis sighed. “The world needs to have light again.” 

“Yeah, but it still means…”

Noctis sighed, closing his eyes. “I know. It still sucks and we can’t do anything, but I can’t let this world suffer anymore. Everyone is out there believing in my return. I have to make sure that hope doesn’t die out.”

Prompto reached a hand over, running it over Noctis’s cheek. “You still sound so mature when you act kingly. It’s a good look on you.”

“Well, I’ll continue to be kingly for as long as I can.”

Pulling his hand away, Prompto tried his hardest not to frown. “Can’t we try to be a little optimistic? Just… anything to stop thinking about your impending you know what.”

Noctis sighed, trying his hardest to not let the guilt eat away at him anymore. “You’re right. Want to talk about what our wedding could be like?”

“Hmm, would you want a small or big wedding?”

“Something small, just with the people we care about attending.”

There was no need for the whole world to celebrate alongside them. If he could have had a wedding, he wanted it to be a private and special moment with Prompto. No extra guests shouting and cheering for them, or photos being snapped in rapid succession from the press. It would be plain and simple for him… unless, of course, Prompto wanted a grand scale wedding, then Noctis would do it for him. 

“That sounds nice. Think our wedding reception could be at our favorite arcade?”

“Ha, you’d want that?”

“I’d bet they’d give us a great package deal,” Prompto snickered. 

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

Feeling that slightest bit of hopefulness flutter in his chest, Noctis felt like he could finally drift off to sleep. He could hear Prompto breathing steadily, dozing off rather quickly. 

When they woke, it was time to head into Insomnia. They fought daemons along the way, and there were plenty of opportunities for Prompto and Noctis to show off their new skills. 

The more they fought, the more it was realized Prompto could warp and move very fast. He zigzagged around the area, shooting the enemies from every angle in rapid time. 

“Alright!” Noctis cheered after another daemon was taken down. “That was amazing, Prompto.”

“Gotta hand it to you, Blondie, you were right, you do have some new skills on you,” Gladio added. 

Prompto chuckled cheekily. “Heh, and I haven’t even broken a sweat!” 

“Just keep up the good work,” Noctis said with a smile. 

“But still proceed with caution. Even with new abilities, you shouldn’t get careless.”

“Hey, I won’t! I’m still keeping an eye open!”

“Then show it,” Gladio said as they all proceeded further.

As they hurried through Insomnia, Noctis had very little time to mourn the state of his kingdom. After being abandoned for 10 years, last left in the wreck of the Diamond Weapon, he knew it would be bad. All of the streets were empty, covered in rubble and ruins. None of it felt like home. 

But, he knew once the light was back, people would come back. Slowly, things would be rebuilt and the city could become as beautiful and shining as it once was before. 

Noctis only wished he could see it happen, but he was happy with the fact he knew everyone he cared for would be there to handle the task. 

A brief stop was made to an underground hideout for Cor and the remaining Kingsglaive, where Noctis took the time to give a motivational speech to everyone. He could see the light and hopefulness fill their eyes, all believing that he would succeed to bring the light back to their home. 

‘If only they knew this would be the last time they saw their King… Would that change their opinions? Who knows… can’t dwell on it.’

After they left the base, the four of them headed on towards the Citadel, where they found Ardyn at the bottom of the staircase. He was walking towards them slowly, but stopped a few feet away. 

“Ifrit, the Infernian. He doesn’t share the Glacian’s fondness for mankind. But you can expect a…warm welcome. I shall await you…above,” Ardyn announced.

He raised his hand and in a blaze of fire, Ifrit appeared. Noctis looked at the other three, giving a nod that needed no words. All of them readied their weapons and prepared to go into one of their most challenging battles yet.

Thankfully, with the help of the other Astrals, even Bahamut himself, they were able to stop the Infernian. 

Now all that was left was to head into the Citadel, going to confront Ardyn once and for all. 

They took a short ride in the elevator before heading down the hall that would take them right up to the throne room. 

It was surreal to be home after so long, even if it still didn’t feel that long to Noctis compared to Ignis and Gladio. 

“Remember how nervous we were in front of King Regis the day we left?” Gladio asked. 

“That was the last time we were in here,” Ignis added. 

Prompto gave a small nod, carefully looking around the room. “Yeah. They even let me in that day.”

“Feels like forever ago,” Noctis muttered. 

Walking a little further Noctis came right up to the doors. Right on the other side would be the throne and Ardyn no doubt sitting there. 

Behind him he heard Prompto giving a soft hum. “Hmm, not much further.”

“Well, shall we, Noct?” Ignis asked. 

Noctis was about to grab the door handle when he stopped, turning around to face Prompto. 

“Yeah, but… Hold on a sec. Prompto, you have some of the photos from our trip already printed, right?”

“Yeah? Usually I would get some of them printed when we stayed at a motel. What about them?”

“Can I see what you got?”

He could see the hesitation in Prompto’s eyes, as if he knew where this was going to go.

“Y-yeah, of course!”

“I just need one… to take with me.”

“Noct…”

“Please, Prompto.”

“Not saying I won’t, but it’s not going to make me feel any better about it.”

A moment later he pulled the photos and the four of them huddled together to look back at the memories. 

There were so many moments Noctis loved, from the picture at Cid’s garage, to every time Prompto begged to pull over for a photo spot. Every photo had a story and a memory that had engraved itself in Noctis’s heart. 

But, he wanted one photo that meant the most to him. One photo that help keep him strong knowing it was in his pocket. 

Then he saw it.

“This one.”

It was one of him and Prompto. They sat at the end of the docks at Galdin Quay with the sunset casting a warm and beautiful glow on them. 

Their heads resting against one another as they smiled happily at the camera, not knowing of the bleak future that was set out before them. 

“You sure you want that one, Noct? You know there are ones with the four of us and stuff…”

“I want this one,” Noctis reassured. “I’m sure Gladio and Ignis understand, right?”

Gladio grinned. “Do what makes you happy.”

“I think it is rather touching.”

Tears were filling Prompto’s eyes as it seemed he was doing everything to hold back from breaking down. 

“Then if that’s the one…” He shuddered. “Shit… You’re going to make me cry, dude.”

Noctis moved his arms around Prompto, pulling him in close. “No matter what happens next, I know to always have you by my side, and for you to know I’ll always love you.”

“You really gotta stop sounding so mature and profound,” Prompto laughed weakly. “Makes it hard to resist listening.”

“Then listen to me,” Noctis whispered gently into his ear. “Stay strong, and promise me you’ll keep going.”

“That’s a hard thing to promise,” Prompto sighed. 

“I believe in you. You’re stronger than you let yourself believe.”

“Yeah, I know. Just… Not ready to say goodbye.”

Noctis wasn’t either. He didn’t want this to be their final moment together before the end, but there was no changing it. He had to keep pushing forward, no matter how much his heart called for another way. 

Looking back at Prompto, he gave the best smile he could. “I know, but we’ll always have each other, even when apart.”

“Can I give you one last kiss? For good luck?”

Noctis smiled, despite the feeling of his heart trying to break. “I would never refuse such a gift.”

Kissing Prompto again was still just as wonderful as the first time, filled with magic and energy that flowed between them. Noctis savored the moment, taking in every last second of it knowing there would be no time after this to have it again. 

This was his last moment of joy before the final battle, and he made it count. 

When they had entered the throne room, they found Ardyn lounging upon the throne. Even from a distance, Prompto could see the man’s cold and sinister grin. Still, Prompto couldn’t get distracted worrying what could happen, he needed to be prepared to help Noctis in whatever came next. 

Unfortunately, it seemed Ardyn wanted to make it a personal endeavor and used some form of magic to knock him, along with Gladio and Ignis, out for the time being. 

By the time they recovered and ran out of the Citadel, Noctis was already locked deep in combat with Ardyn. 

“Shouldn’t we help him?” Prompto asked. 

“I believe Noctis must do this on his own, as it is his duty,” Ignis replied. 

“Besides, looks like he has the upper hand, all that power really has come in handy,” Gladio added in. 

“Yeah… I guess…”

Prompto watched as Noctis found against Ardyn, magic weapons flying all around and magic bursting forth from the ring. It truly was a sight to behold, knowing how far Noctis had come. 

But, it still left Prompto feeling uncertain. 

‘How much longer until that stupid blood price is paid… I can’t imagine how that’s supposed to happen…’

Before long, Noctis dealt a final blow to Ardyn that left the man laying on the ground. They exchanged words to one another, too soft for anyone else to hear, and Ardyn’s body then faded. 

Prompto ran ahead of the other two, right over into Noctis. He stopped himself short, resisting the urge to crash into Noctis’s arms and hold him tight. 

“Is that… all?”

Noctis shook his head. “There’s still more. Ardyn’s physical body is gone for now, but I need to destroy his soul. Only then can the darkness be purged.”

“And that means…”

“Yeah…” 

Prompto bit his lip, holding back all his desires to scream at the skies, to beg Bahamut for another way. He knew as much as he wanted to resist, there was no other choice, and he knew Noctis felt the same. Both of them had that look in the eyes. Eyes of longing and hurt, but there was nothing that could be done. 

Noctis headed towards the Citadel stairs with the three others trailing behind. Rain had started to pour on them, as if the skies also wanted to mourn for what was about to come. 

“So this is farewell,” Ignis said softly. 

“Yeah,” Noctis agreed. “Here we are.”

“It’s all you,” Gladio added.

Noctis gave a nod and turned around, ready to make his ascent up the stairs. 

“No turning back now…” Prompto practically forced himself to say it, watching as Noctis stopped, turning back around. 

Prompto’s heart beat loudly as Noctis smiled at all of them. “Prompto. Gladio. Ignis. I leave it to you. Walk tall…my friends.”

‘I’ll try… I will try, Noct…’

Noctis walked away, heading into the Citadel, taking Prompto’s broken heart with him. 

He felt a vast wave of emptiness hit him as he was left alone. Even when Gladio and Ignis were right by his side, he felt completely alone. 

Several Iron Giants were forming behind them, and he could see Ignis and Gladio getting ready to go into battle once more. He summoned his own gun, but he couldn’t bring himself to lift it, letting it be dead weight in his hand. 

As the rain poured down, and the Iron Giants roared, Prompto reflected. He thought back to everything he had been through, both by himself and with Noctis. He had done so much because of Noctis. 

Noctis was his motivation growing up. He wanted to become good enough for him, only to find out Noctis would have accepted him from the start. If it weren’t for Noctis, Prompto wasn’t sure where he would be today. 

Suddenly, he felt an urge in his chest. His empty, aching heart filled with newfound energy. 

“Oh screw this! I can’t let it end this way!” he shouted, making sure it was loud enough for Gladio and Ignis to hear. 

Before they had a change to respond, he booked it up the stairs and into the main Citadel hallway. 

It was quiet as Prompto ran back to the throne room, with only his footsteps echoing on the floor. 

‘I’m coming Noct… I’ll save you, I swear.’

Chapter Text

Running as fast as he could, Prompto gave it everything he had to make it to the throne room. His feet pushed against bits of debris and glass, crunching loudly as he ran down the echoey hall by himself. 

His heart pounded, feeling like it was trying to break his rib cage all before he could actually reach Noctis. 

‘Come on! I can run faster than this! I didn’t spend all those years running for nothing!’

Finally making it to the throne room, he yanked the door open and almost tripped as he stepped inside, seeing Noctis on the throne. 

His body sat on the throne, but it was slumped over all with a sword, King Regis’s sword from what Prompto could tell, embedded in his chest. 

“Noct!” Prompto screamed, bolting up the stairs. 

He dropped down to his knees right at Noctis’s side. “Noct! Noct please! Can you hear me!”

Noctis remained still, without even the slightest indication that he was breathing. 

“Fuck! Fuck, I can’t be too late!”

He could feel the magic within him, it burned and bubbled in him, begging to do something. If he still had that magic, then it was enough to tell him Noctis was somehow alive, even if barely. 

Finally getting a better look at Noctis, he noticed the Ring of Lucii on his finger was glowing brightly. But, the longer he stared, he could tell it was starting to grow dimmer. 

He had to act now if he wanted to try anything to save Noctis, and in a moment of hastiness he grabbed the sword in Noctis’s chest and pulled. He tried not to listen to the squeamish feelings in his stomach as he tugged the sword slowly out. 

‘If I remember, there were Glaive who could actually cast healing magic. Noct couldn’t do it because… he said it was because of a childhood injury. But that just affects how he uses magic, not the rest of us. So, since I’ve gotten a deeper sense of magic, maybe I can…’

After carefully maneuvering and pulling, the sword was out. Tossing it aside, Prompto placed his hand over Noctis’s bleeding chest. “Heal!”

He wasn’t entirely sure how to call upon healing magic, but he dug down deep, concentrating on the magic. He shut his eyes, trying to mentally grasp the magic that was almost at his fingertips. 

“Please! Please let me heal him! He has to live!” he pleaded aloud before shouting another ‘heal’.

He kept repeating the word, thinking again and again how it would feel to cast healing magic. He needed it as strong as possible, the very type of healing that could close up and cure any wound. 

At the end of his attempts, his spirit coming close to crumbling, he felt something warm at his fingertips, and it definitely wasn't blood. 

Shooting his eyes open, he saw sparkles of strength and blue coming from his hand, spreading across the wound in Noctis’s chest. He held his breath, watching the magic work as it stitched Noctis's chest back together. 

There was a small, subtle hitch in Noctis’s chest, breathing becoming apparent. 

“Noct? Noct, you there?” 

He got no response, but when he examined Noctis again, he saw the Ring was still glowing, and still getting dimmer. 

“He must be… on the other side for some reason.”

Whatever it was, Noctis was still battling, still working to save the world. 

And Prompto wasn't going to let him do it alone. 

He placed his left hand over Noctis's. He could feel the power of the Ring burning underneath. Its magic was strong, but that didn't scare Prompto. In this moment, even though his heart raced endlessly, he didn't feel an ounce of terror or fear.

“Hey! Kings of Lucii! I bet you can probably hear me!” Prompto shouted, his voice echoing through the room. “Listen up! I need to help Noct! Wherever he is right now, I need to reach him! And I don't care about the Prophecy bullshit! Fuck what Bahamut says! What good is a king if he dies before he can rule? And yeah, ‘many sacrificed themselves for the king, so the king sacrifices himself for all’ is probably what you're thinking, but that's still totally crap!”

As he spoke his mind, he felt the magic from the ring growing stronger… growing warmer.  

“People may have died for Noct, but there's still a lot of people alive! So many people are waiting for their king to return ! Not to have their king show up and die and leave them without a leader! People need Noctis after ten years of being left in darkness, not just a martyr they'll celebrate once a year for his death! That's just completely shitty if you ask me. 

“And another thing, you Kings of Lucii. You probably also think Noct needs to be a good king by standing alone to prove himself, right? I call bullshit again! A good king can learn to stand and rule on his own, but a great king knows when to have his friends by his side, to get through thick and thin together! A compassionate king who loves and respects those around him. And that's just the type of person Noct is, and will be when he gets to actually be king! So I don't care what you may say, but I will do whatever I can to stand by his side and save him from this dumb fate! And you all can either just stand there and let your lineage die, or help me save him!”

If Prompto had to be honest with himself, he had never expected himself to have all of that in him. But, ever since he learned the truth of the Prophecy and how it affected Noctis’s fate, a bubbling rage started to build within him. It stirred and hibernated with him for ten years, waiting for the right moment to explode. 

After all his mighty yelling, now all he could do was wait to see if his words had any effect.

In an instant, he felt his hand burning. He had the thought to pull it away, but he saw how light from the Ring was encompassing his arm. 

“A loud and rude child…”

“But has passion in his words…”

“Words that ring true…”

“He is not greedy for power…”

“And has magic of the True King…”

“From their shared bond he proves to do the impossible…”

“We shall oblige in his wish…"

“But expect a cost…”

“But not one of death…”

If Prompto had to guess, the voices belonged to the spirits of former kings and queens of Lucii. They had heard him, and actually agreed! 

Unfortunately, Prompto wasn't able to give it much thought as the burning in his hand was becoming unbearable. He barely had another moment to think before passing out from the pain.

When Prompto’s eyes opened his eyes, he saw himself floating in a beautiful void of blue and purple. The colors moved and swirled around him, and normally he would have taken a moment to be in awe, but his eyes immediately locked onto something else.

Noctis was just below him. His entire body caked in cracks and burns as the Ring flared violently.  Behind him were several tall crystalline figures, glowing just as brightly. 

Across from him in the void sat Ardyn's spirit, struggling as light started to infect him. 

As Noctis sent the barrage of kings and queens after Ardyn, letting them deliver the final blow, Prompto seized his moment. He flew himself down to Noctis, grabbing hold of him, all while mentally chanting a healing spell. 

“P-Prompto!?” Noctis asked, his voice rough and gravelly. 

Prompto exhaled as he let the healing magic leave him, working itself to cover Noctis entirely. It felt like the seconds were ticking away, his one little chance was ending. The gap was closing and this was his one moment to give it all that he had. 

“I told you that you weren't going to die. I wouldn't let it happen!” he shouted, concentrating harder to keep the healing magic going.

“But if you’re here then…”

“I'm here to rescue you,” Prompto replied, looking to see the burns and cracks in Noctis’s face were fading. “I don’t care what Bahamut told us, I am going to make sure you live!” 

“Prom…”

“Ever at your side, Noct. I mean it forever.”

As his energy started slipping, using the last bit of magic he could produce, he leaned in for a kiss. He felt Noctis hold him tightly, pressing his lips tightly against his own. It was another strange place and situation for one of their first few kisses, but Prompto no longer cared about that. 

Everything was fading around him, his mind crawling into darkness. He could barely keep his eyes open as he rested his head against Noctis’s chest. 

With a long exhale, he closed his eyes, drifting off all while in the warmth embrace of the man he loved more than anything else. 

Chapter Text

Prompto hadn't expected to wake up feeling so heavy. Part of him had feared he wouldn't even wake up at all. Even with what the Lucii had told him, he still had put himself through a lot to reach Noctis. So, it wasn't too far-fetched from him to feel surprised that he was awake and breathing.

Opening his eyes slowly, he saw a pale, off-white wall and ceiling. Two steady beeping sounds were heard behind him, and to his right he felt a weight leaning against him.

He tried to move his body, but it felt heavy. It took all of the little energy that he had to turn his head to the side, seeing Noctis asleep and steadily breathing.

Prompto grinned, tilting his head again so his forehead rested against Noctis's. "Hey, Noct… Noct you awake?"

Noctis didn't reply at first, only breathing slowly and steadily.

"Noct," he whispered. "Come on, you gotta wake up."

"Hmmmmm…" Noctis groaned.

"There you go. Open your eyes."

A second passed before Noctis's eyes opened he blinked a few times before focusing on the man before him.

"Prompto?" he asked.

"Told you I'd save you," Prompto replied smugly.

Noctis glanced around the room. "Are we really…?"

"Sure does feel like it. Unless the afterlife is just ugly hospital rooms."

Noctis laughed softly. "Yeah, guess you have a point."

"And you better believe it."

Both of them turned their attention to the corner of the room where someone was sitting. The lights of the room were off, with the only light coming from the window, so it took a few moments for either of them to realize who they were looking at.

"Gladio?" Noctis asked.

"Yup. Good you still remember me. How are you two feeling?"

"Tired," Noctis mumbled. "Throat is dry too."

"No shit. The two of you have been sleeping for almost two months. Gave us a really good scare, but the doctors said you two could pull through and wake up. Oh, and after a lot of talking with the doctors, we got them to agree to keep you guys in one bed after about a month."

'We've been… in a coma for two months? Both of us?' Prompto wondered.

"And we're okay?"

"'Okay' is a pretty tame way of putting it," Gladio laughed. "You're alive, yes, but not without repercussions."

"Like what?" Noctis asked.

"Probably should let the doctors explain most of it to you guys, but to put it bluntly, when we found you two, it was a pretty ugly, bloody mess. Doctors did what they could, but Noct…"

Gladio sighed as he stepped closer to the bed. "Let's just say your back might be more fucked up than before. Nerve damage or some shit in the lower back from what the doctors say."

Noctis closed his eyes. "Fucked up back sounds pretty okay for surviving what I did."

"And Prompto. Don't know what the hell you were thinking…" Gladio continued as he looked at the blond. "...but whatever you did, it really did a number on your hand. Probably didn't notice 'cause you just woke up, but don't get too freaked out, okay?"

"Uh, why…?"

Prompto slowly glanced to his left hand, seeing that it was oddly wrapped in bandages. Something didn't feel or look right. Somehow his arm felt… shorter? But having just woken up after two whole months, his brain couldn't put the pieces together.

"Doctors worked as fast as they could, but the burns were still bad enough they had to amputate."

Prompto heard the words, but his mind was still too slow to process it. He figured it was probably a good thing otherwise he would have started freaking out over his missing appendage.

'Must have been from the Ring… I remember it was starting to burn… That must have been what happened… The Lucii did say there would be a cost, so this has to be it, right?'

"Now, before we celebrate, let me go give Ignis a call and let the doctors know that you are awake. Stay cozy, lovebirds."

Gladio grinned at the two of them before exiting the room, leaving the two of them to let reality sink in.

Prompto looked again to the window, staring at the light that trickled in. It took a few moments of starting to realize why that seemed so strange to see.

"Noct look," he gasped.

"The light. Outside the window…"

"It's actually daytime. The light is back," Prompto finished, looking back at Noctis. "You did it, Noct."

"Guess I did. And I wouldn't have seen it if it wasn't for you."

"Heh, do I hear a 'thank you' coming along?"

Noctis smiled. "Thank you, Prompto. Seriously, you did it."

"Guess when your super powerful magic of the kings rubs off on me I'll go power crazy to save you. I didn't even think I could do healing magic but it just came to me when I… Well, when I saw you on the throne."

Noctis's face tightened. "You saw that, huh?"

"Not like I could miss you sitting there with your father's sword impaling you… Probably won't forget that imagery for a while."

"Sorry…"

Prompto shook his head. "Don't be."

"You saw me pretty much dead."

"I healed you. It's fine, Noct."

"But you lost your hand," Noctis replied, frowning deeply.

"A little cost I'm willing to pay if it means you get to live."

Prompto meant every word of it. He would have sacrificed anything he could have if it meant he could keep Noctis alive. A lost hand was the most minimal and least of his worries.

"Too bad it wasn't my right hand," he laughed weakly. "Could have rid myself of that stupid barcode."

"Prom…"

"Sorry, bad time I know… Hey, you think if I ask Cindy, she could make me a super cool robot hand?"

Noctis smiled, leaning his head against Prompto's again. "Don't see why not."

Prompto hummed happily from the touch. "We're alive though."

"Yeah."

Closing his eyes, Prompto rested against Noctis until the doctors came in, flooding the room. It wasn't long before they were given water to drink and put through several examinations. It was a long process, but Noctis and Prompto listened and did the best they could to answer whatever questions the doctors had to ask.

In the end the results of their conditions were just as Gladio had said.

Noctis had nerve damage from being stabbed clean through. Even with Prompto healing the wound, the magic could not fix the severed and damaged nerves. Magic could only go so far in what it could do, but Prompto healing the wound in the first place was vital in saving Noctis's life.

The doctors said he might be able to walk again, after proper physical therapy, but would not have a lot of mobility, having to use braces and crutches if he chose to try and walk. Otherwise, would have to stick to a wheelchair to prevent too much strain on his muscles.

Prompto's injuries were less severe, but he still had lost half his arm. The doctors told him he had fourth degree burns from his hand almost up to his elbow. Until that moment Prompto had no idea there was anything even past a third-degree burn. With the burns that severe, amputation was the only way to keep it from infection or worse. The doctors did warn him he would have moments of phantom pain, where he would think his hand was there, only to find it was not.

When he asked if there was a possibility of a prosthetic arm, he was met with positive responses. After some calls could be made, and Prompto could start his physical therapy, then the option could be looked into. It was promising to say the least.

Overall, the doctors were all kind and helpful, all while giving their thanks to Noctis for saving Eos. Each one of them did whatever they could to let Noctis and Prompto be comfortable before giving them time to themselves again.

"Wow, what a way to wake up, huh?" Prompto laughed.

"Not the first time I've woken from a coma to have doctors all around me."

"Really?"

"When I was a kid, I got attacked by a daemon. Was in a coma for a while because of it. Went to Tenebrae to get healed, but then…"

"Was that the Fall of Tenebrae?"

Noctis nodded. "Yeah."

"Guess you'll have to be my guide then, in all the 'waking from a coma 101' courses," Prompto chuckled.

Smiling, Noctis reached a hand up to brush Prompto's hair back. "Sure thing."

Prompto melted at the smile, his heart happy he would get to see that every day from now on.

Though that did beg a small question in the back of his mind.

"Wait… I defeated your Prophecy. Saved you from dying and you still brought back the dawn… Isn't that like, gonna piss off Bahamut or something?"

"I don't wanna think about it… But maybe he changed his mind," Noctis whispered, his eyes growing distant.

"Well if he didn't change his mind and tries to show up to kill you, I'll just shoot him in the face!"

"Heh, thanks, Prom."

"The answer is different than what you may think…"

The new voice startled both of the boys, but quickly looking around the room they found Shiva floating by the edge of their bed.

"What is it then? What happened with Bahamut?" Noctis asked.

"At the choice of the King of Light's other half, the Draconian did show rage. But because of the strength he showed with his love for the Chosen King, both the Lucii and Astrals stood in defiance. A battle on the plane of the Astrals took place while the King of Light and his lover rested. The Draconian was defeated and no longer shall demand the sacrifice of humanity."

"So an entire Astral battle happened again while we were sleeping? Is the world okay?" Prompto asked.

Shiva nodded. "Yes. The two of you may rest easy now, finding happiness with each other and the new dawn. The magic of the Lucis Caelums may be no more, but the king lives."

"No more magic?"

Prompto thought about it and he realized he didn't feel any more magic. No more magic to connect him to Noctis.

'Guess it makes sense. Noctis did technically die for a few seconds or whatever."

"Yes. The magic is no more. A sense of normalcy is granted to the King of Light."

"Good to know, I thought something felt different when I woke," Noctis commented.

"Too bad I didn't get to fight Bahamut, I was ready to take him on," Prompto laughed. "But thanks Shiva! You saved me from probably the scariest boss battle ever!"

Shiva smiled, bowing her head. "I give my blessings of love for the two bonded by the strongest of love. May your years in the light be plentiful."

The Astral vanished after that, leaving behind only a few sparkles of snow.

"Huh, I wonder who took over as king of the Astrals now that Bahamut is gone," Prompto commented.

Noctis shrugged. "Eh, could care less. If they don't saddle us with more prophecy crap I'm cool with them."

"Same. Just really glad that we don't have to worry anymore about that… No more having our fate be determined for us," Prompto sighed.

"So… want to take a nap?"

Prompto laughed. "Didn't we just wake up from a two month coma? And you want to go back to sleeping?"

Noctis draped an arm carefully over Prompto's chest. "Yeah. Maybe get a few more minutes in before Gladio gets here with Ignis."

"Sounds good," Prompto replied, snuggling close.

They only got about 15 minutes worth of sleep before Gladio came back with Ignis. The sound of the door opening and Gladio clearing his throat was enough to stir the boys from their light slumber.

Ignis came down to sit on the edge of the bed, reaching his hand over, to which Noctis met him instantly. "Hey, Iggy."

"Noct… You are truly… I am so grateful to know that you are here," Ignis whispered, holding Noctis's hand tightly.

"You have Prompto to thank for that. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here."

Ignis nodded. "Yes, and for that Prompto, I am extremely grateful."

Prompto reached over to place his hand on top of Ignis's. "No problem, Iggy."

"Gladio and I will be here for the two of you, every step of the way. And Noct, don't worry about any paperwork or royal duties, I will attend to them for now until you are well enough. We will wait until you feel ready to make a public appearance, but you will probably find out soon that everyone is expecting your return every day."

"The celebrations have gone across Eos since the light returned, and haven't stopped yet," Gladio added.

Prompto gasped. "Whoa, two months of celebrating? Dang, we did miss a lot!"

Gladio smirked. "I'm sure the celebrations will keep happening, especially once Noctis shows his face to the media."

Noctis closed his eyes, sighing. "That's going to be quite the day…"

"One step at a time," Ignis stated.

Just as Ignis said, it was one step at a time, with all of the guys by each other's side throughout Noctis and Prompto's recovery. Throughout the next few months, the doctors tended to them, checking vitals and helping aid in their slow recovery, but having Gladio and Ignis checking in on them made it all the easier.

Eventually, as they started to get into physical therapy, Noctis and Prompto had to be separated into their own beds. They were at least able to stay in the same room, talking to each night before they would sleep. Hearing each other's voices before they would sleep brought enough comfort for the sleep to be peaceful.

As the days ticked along, Cindy would come by, ready to help design a prosthetic arm for Prompto. It would be sleeker and smooth than what Prompto had seen with Ravus, something that was a lot more functional. With Cindy behind the design, Prompto knew he would be in good hands, and he made sure to make as many of those hand and arm puns as he could.

Even if it was weird at times, especially when he got those phantom pains, he didn't hate that he lost his arm. It was a cost as the Lucii had told him. A cost to save Noctis and avoid death resulted in a lost arm. No matter what, he knew he had made the right choice.

"Can't wait for you to get your arm," Noctis said one day after another physical therapy session.

"Yeah? Want a proper cuddle time with two arms?"

Noctis smirked. "There's that but also…" Noctis fiddled with sheets between his fingers. "You know what hand the wedding ring goes on."

Prompto blushed. "O-oh, right."

"Don't know if you want to talk about it yet, but I've been thinking about it since we woke up. When I go public with my recovery, I want to announce to us if you are ready for it."

"Think the world is ready for us?" Prompto asked. "Scratch that, ready for me? Just a regular old pleb getting to marry the king?"

"The people will love you, Prom. It's hard not to love your charming, beautiful face. Plus, once people know you were the one who saved my life, you'll get just as much praise as me."

"Ah gee, Noct. Gonna throw me under the fangirl crazy bus with that one, aren't you?" Prompto snorted.

"You can deal with it, plus it won't be so bad once we announce the marriage."

"Is the world ready for their king to marry a perky blond cyborg?"

Noctis laughed. "Is that the headline you want to go with? And what happened to being just a 'regular old pleb'?"

Prompto smiled as he shrugged casually. "If I am going to be basically a cyborg, I gotta roll with it. Plus it makes me sound way cooler!"

"Right, well I'll let you discuss all of that with Ignis when it's time."

Prompto was smiling, still thinking over the aspect of his future with Noctis. His heart was full of nothing but love and joy now, with no fear he would ever lose Noctis to things like Astrals or fate. He could truly live up to what he promised and stay at Noctis's side, forever and always.

The future was slowly unfolding for them, and Prompto knew not every day would be easy. There would probably be times when either of them had doubt over their situation, still having to grasp the fact they lost ten years of their lives. That was something that occasionally snuck into Prompto's mind, and no doubt Noctis's too, to torment him.

But, they had each other. When by each other's side, they could feel safe. They felt grounded.

To them, that was all that really mattered in the end, and they could be happy.

They were happy, and would continue to be as they remained ever at each other's side.

Chapter Text

It had taken several long months of physical therapy and rehab, but Noctis and Prompto were finally free. So many hours had been spent regaining their strengths in all areas, but the doctors had agreed that they were now well enough to leave the medical wing and return to their lives.

Though, neither of them could say they were going back to completely normal lives anymore. Noctis decided to use the wheelchair more often than not unless he really felt good enough to use the braces and crutches. It wasn't something that truly upset him, instead he took it with pride, keeping his head held high even if his back pain persisted. Thankfully, he had special back braces to help and try to relieve most of the pain.

For Prompto, about three months before their release from the hospital, Cindy had finished the brand new prosthetic arm for him. She said it was just a prototype, and would make a better one in the future, but it really worked like a charm. Of course, he needed to have mental and physical training to get used to his new appendage, but he didn't let himself feel any doubt for a second.

The arm itself was beautiful too. It was a sleek design with a beautiful golden finish. Cindy had even taken the liberty of having Prompto's name engraved into the wrist along with the words The Quicksilver Gunslinger right underneath it. It was the most beautiful piece of mechanical technology Prompto had seen in a long while.

Currently, they were heading down one of the hallways in the Citadel with Prompto pushing Noctis's wheelchair.

"Gladio told me that a lot of the bedrooms were still intact," Noctis explained. "They just needed a little clearing up."

"So, does that mean we are going to your room or like, the royal honeymoon suite?"

Noctis snorted. "We don't have that. This is just one of the master bedrooms. Besides, we have to be married first to have a honeymoon."

"Then let's set a wedding date already!"

"How about we pick out rings first. I think that's how we start."

Prompto chuckled, a bubbling happiness in his chest started up. "Okay, it's a date then! We'll go ring shopping this weekend."

"Sounds like a good plan. Also stop here, it's this room."

The doors in front of them were grandly ornate, all the way down to the door handles looking like they were made from real gold. Prompto reached out and grabbed one handle, turning it and pushing the door open.

Inside was a neatly kept room, with what looked like beautiful ornate furniture placed throughout it. It definitely earned being called a master bedroom. The bed itself even looked magnificent, with it not only having pillars around each corner, but it also had silky drapes along the sides of it.

"Whoa, this is our new bedroom?" Prompto asked, wheeling Noctis in.

"Yup. Now get me over to the bed, I want to test it."

Prompto smirked. "You just want to nap."

"Nothing wrong with that."

"You know, you're right. A nap sounds really cozy."

Pushing the wheelchair to the bedside, Prompto carefully helped Noctis up into the bed. Once he was settled, Prompto laid down next to him, cozying up closely.

"This is nice," Noctis breathed out softly.

Prompto sighed happily, resting his head next to Noctis's shoulder. "It is. I like when it can be just the two of us."

"That's how I like it too. I always feel safe when I know you are right beside me."

Prompto smiled, blushing a little as he draped an arm across Noctis's chest. "Oh Noct, you do know how to say the right things."

"Heh, took me a while to get there."

"Boy do we know that. Took us a whole traumatizing adventure in the snow to get you to open up."

"But we're here now together," Noctis replied before yawning. "And there's no more hiding things between us."

"Yeah. It really is nice."

Noctis closed his eyes. "And soon we'll be married."

Prompto's smile grew wider. "Definitely looking forward to that. Any idea who gets to propose to who?"

Noctis cracked an eye open. "You want to decide that now?"

"I dunno, maybe?"

"Do we even need to?"

Shrugging, Prompto adjusted himself more cozily next to his soon to-be-husband. "I guess not, but it's just a thought."

"I'll sleep on it, okay? Now come on, let's get a good nap in before Ignis or Gladio finds us to talk about paper work."

Closing his eyes, Prompto listened to the steady sound of Noctis's breathing, helping him drift off into his own sleep.

A few days later, Noctis and Prompto lived up to their promise and went ring shopping. As easy as it would have been to ask some staff in the Citadel to go find a ring or make one, the two of them wanted to do it the way everyone else did.

It certainly surprised the store owner when the two of them walked in.

As the two started to look at the cases full of rings, the owner was very kind and friendly, glowing to the brim with joy that the future kings of the kingdom had come to their own jewelry shop.

It took a few hours, looking through the various types of rings. Despite the owner's best efforts to try and sell the most luxurious rings, the boys stuck to their plans to go a little simpler.

The bands were a golden yellow, with a thin inlay of black around the center. Flakes of gold and silver were scattered across the black, looking much like crystal pieces or gold leaves embedded in it.

"These are perfect," Prompto hummed.

"Yeah, it definitely feels right."

"Wonderful choice, Your Majesty! Now all we need to do is get your ring sizes and I will have them made and sent to the Citadel immediately!" the shop owner replied cheerfully.

Paying the due amount, Noctis and Prompto happily headed out and back down the street. There was a Crownsguard nearby in a car if they needed, but the two of them agreed they would take a walk after the rings were purchased.

"So are we really going to do a public proposal? Like, in front of everyone?" Prompto asked.

"Why not? The public will eat it up, and… I feel they deserve to have something to talk about besides the light returning."

Prompto hummed. "Does sound pretty nice. If I were just your regular commoner, you know, not marrying the king or anything, I would want to hear all about it."

"Then let's go to the park. There's probably plenty of people there to see us."

Ever since the light had returned, people flocked to many outdoor venues, spending as much time as possible outside. Even when people had to keep up with wearing sunscreen for the time people, it didn't stop them from enjoying the light.

And it seemed that ten years of darkness helped people mellow out too. As Noctis and Prompto walked down the street, people would bow and greet them but not invade their private space. They were happy to thank Noctis, and Prompto as Noctis did his best to let everyone know, for what they did, but thankfully everyone they met were respectful to their boundaries.

But, it didn't stop the slew of compliments that came left and right.

"Oh King Noctis! Thank you again for all of your hard work!"

"King Noctis! You and your fiancé Mr. Argentum look lovely today!"

"You two make such a happy couple!"

"My child can learn about the light and actually enjoy it! I cannot thank you enough, King Noctis."

It was a little overwhelming, but the two pushed through it with warm smiles to each person.

By the time they reached the park a small crowd had come together, trying to keep their distance but also stare and marvel at them at the same time.

"Okay, so we're really doing this?" Prompto asked.

"Yeah, just hope my knee doesn't give out. That would be an embarrassing spectacle."

Prompto placed a hand on Noctis's arm, giving a light squeeze. "Then let me be the one to propose. Don't stress your body."

Noctis started to laugh. "We never did decide who would be the one proposing."

"Are you suggesting we rock, paper, scissors over proposing?" Prompto snorted.

"You got a better idea?"

"Other than looking stupid And proposing at the same time, not really."

Noctis smiled, sighing happily. "Then let me do it, Prom. I want to do this, to show you how much you mean to me."

In return, Prompto smiled just as warmly. "I already know that."

Sucking in a deep breath, Noctis went down slowly, careful not to agitate his knee. "Then let me you again."

From his pocket, Noctis pulled out a small black box. Inside were Two basic golden bands, perfect for the media version of a proposal.

"Prompto Argentum, you… You mean everything to me. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. So, I know we've already got it planned, but just so everyone here knows it… Prompto, will you marry me?"

He held the box out and open to Prompto, trying not to stare at the crowd that had slowly formed around them.

Prompto looked at him, tears quickly filling his eyes. He sniffled as he wiped away the stray tears trickling down his cheeks. "Fuck, I thought I could keep myself together. But you just know how to make my heart feel things… Can't even imagine what a mess I'll be when we do vows."

He paused for a moment, glancing around before smiling again. "But, I think you know the answer. Yes. It will always be yes."

The crowd began to cheer as Prompto helped Noctis back to his feet, pulling him into a tight embrace before they kissed.

The sounds of the crowd died out as the world became just the two of them and their love.

As the wedding day approached, Noctis felt just as overwhelmed as he would preparing for an exam at school. Everything needed his attention, his opinion, his everything. On top of that, he still had meetings to attend and deal with, but Ignis was trying to give him as much relief as possible.

By the end of each day he felt exhausted, getting himself back to his room with what little energy he had.

But the upside was, if Prompto wasn't already with him, he would be waiting for Noctis to arrive.

"Heyas," Prompto said one evening as Noctis strolled in. "How'd things go today?"

"Tiring. Why do I need to stand there as people show me 500 different flower combinations?"

"At least you didn't have to sit in a room all day and be lectured on royal Lucian protocols and stuff for marrying a Caelum."

"Learned that stuff years ago," Noctis chuckled.

"Yeah that was years ago! I have to learn it now just days before our wedding!"

Noctis yawned before flopping onto the bed. It'll be over soon, then we can just enjoy our time together."

Prompto laid down next to Noctis. "And then you'll drag me to all your meetings."

"Can't suffer alone!"

The two laughed as Noctis closed his eyes. "Just can't wait to actually be married. I want to know your mine."

"But I'm already yours, Noct. I've been your since… well technically since we admitted our feelings, but let's say I've been yours since we first met."

Noctis smiled. "I like that. But I want it to be official."

Prompto leaned in closer, kissing him on the cheek. "Just a couple more days."

"Yeah," Noctis said, feeling the call of sleep coming for him. "Can't wait."

The day of the wedding, Noctis woke up with his back screaming at him. He groaned deeply as he attempted to roll onto his side, but the pain persisted. No matter which way he tried to turn he only had more pain follow him.

As he shifted around, it wasn't long before Prompto woke up, turning onto his side to see Noctis. "Good morning… what's up, Noct?"

"Back pain sucks," he groaned.

"Shit, need me to get the meds?"

Noctis hummed as he closed his eyes, trying to bury his face into a pillow.

Prompto jumped to his feet, heading over to the connected bathroom to find the pain medication that Noctis needed for the morning. After he took what was needed, all he had to do was wait until it helped relieve the pain.

"Ugh, it feels 100 times worse today," Noctis groaned as he attempted to sit up.

"Think you'll be okay?"

Noctis sighed. "I hope so…"

Flopping down next to him, Prompto leaned against Noctis's arm lightly. "Hey, if it's that bad do you wanna…" He paused before taking in a deep breath. "Take a break and push the wedding back a day or two?"

Noctis turned, looking surprised. "What? No way, we've done all this planning. It would be pretty stupid to push it back."

"You sure? I'd hate for you to be in pain during our wedding…"

Noctis reached his hand over, putting it over Prompto's. "Getting married to you is stronger than any pain my body is trying to put on me. If I have to do it in a wheelchair then that's just how I'll do it. The wedding will still happen today, no matter what. You got that?"

Prompto smiled. "You're the best, Noct. I'll let Iggy and Gladio know then?"

Noctis leaned in close and kissed Prompto. "Go right ahead."

"Aw, but what if I want to stay for morning kisses?"

Chuckling lightly, Noctis gave a light shove to push Prompto off the bed. "You can get all your morning kisses after our wedding."

"You promise?"

"When it comes to you, always."

Even when the pain persisted, Noctis stayed true to his word and insisted that the wedding would still go on. Sure, he was in his wheelchair, but neither he or Prompto cared at that point. All that mattered to them was that they could finally be unified in their marriage once and for all.

They would remain by each other's sides, hand in hand no matter what the future brought them for their love was stronger than anything else they faced.