• Can Ignis Do Slash Dmg Look
• Can Ignis Do Slash Dmg Mean

Apr 23, 2017  How can madurai give Ignis Wraith slash dmg when it has no slash dmg to begin with? Madurai adds an amount of Slash damage equal to your base damage affected by base damage mods. It works more like a frame buff than a mod. Mar 03, 2018  Damage increased from 25 Heat per sec to 35 Heat per tick, Critical Chance increased from 12% to 17%, Critical Damage increased from 2.0x to 2.5x, and also Range increased from 20m to 27m. The Ignis may not go through the walls anymore and it now requires Punch Through to do so. Oct 23, 2017  Ignis has base damage of Heat. It can do this thanks to it having Base Magnetic damage from the start which means no matter how you mod it, you will always have magnetic (I think). 105.0 Slash base damage and 78.8 Impact base damage as well. Vaykor Hek build example.

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Chapter 6

Gladio hauled Prompto out of the heated pool where he collapsed into the chair, breathing heavily. 'Hey, don't push it blondie,' he warned gently, ruffling wet hair and Prom pouted at him, making him chuckle.

'Gladio's right Prom, you can't push too hard or you'll set yourself back,' Noctis agreed with his Shield, wheeling himself over. All the time spent sitting beside Prom's bed when he was unconscious and then keeping him company when not in therapy had irritated his own back badly. He tossed Prompto a towel and he began drying himself off.

'I know,' he muttered, he just hated feeling weak again when he'd come so far. He knew he was getting better, he could walk with support over short distances now, could stand still unsupported for minutes at a time, but he just wanted to be done with it. He'd made his decision but he wanted to wait to tell them until he was fully back on his feet. He rubbed his hair down and the dropped the towel, moving to get down onto the floor to do his stretches when his stomach cramped and he groaned, doubling over.

'Prom?' Noctis asked in alarm.

'I don't…oh…' he curled up and Gladio moved to his side.

'Easy, breath through it,' Gladio soothed and Ignis appeared with a heat pack to try and help relieve whatever muscle was cramping.

'S…some…thing's wrong,' Prompto groaned, hand gripping Gladio's arm. He'd never felt pain like it before, it wasn't a muscle cramp, he knew that much.

'Noct, call the medics,' Ignis ordered and Noctis pulled his phone out to make the call while Ignis and Gladio eased Prompto down onto the ground.

He cried out in agony, writhing and they held on to him as he began screaming, trying to keep him from aggravating his back. It felt like molten lava was being poured into his body and he wanted it to stop! He saw Noct and tried to reach out to him but he couldn't control his body as he writhed in pain.

'Prompto!' Noctis threw himself out of his chair and crawled over, cupping Prompto's face in his hands, seeing the pain and fear in his eyes. 'Hey, look at me, focus on me. Medics are on the way, you need to stay calm,' he told him firmly but gently.

'N…N…' he screamed again. He jerked and Noctis moved to cushion his head on his thighs, kneeling hurt but he wanted to keep Prompto from hitting his head on the tiled floor.

'I'm right here,' he promised and Prompto's eyes rolled back in his head, body convulsing. And then Noctis felt his blood freeze in his veins. 'No….' he whispered. 'Get my Dad, now!' he yelled so the guard outside would hear him. 'Hey, come on Prom, look at me. I need you to focus on me,' he begged.

'Noct?' Ignis demanded as he held Prompto's legs still.

'Something's gone wrong,' he choked out. 'It's active.' He looked back down to see Prompto trying to focus on him. 'That's it, I'm right here. I know it hurts but you have to stay awake, you have to fight it. It's…it's the harpy DNA, it's waking up. I don't know what it'll do to you, so you have to fight it, please. We can't lose you,' he told him, seeing the terror in his eyes. He leant down, ignoring the pain, to brush his lips against Prompto's. 'Fight for us, please. We're here, we won't leave you, ever,' he swore.

,

Ignis looked up at where Noctis was kneeling, seeing Noctis with tears in his eyes as he stared down at the writhing Prompto. Could Prompto never get a break? Could they do anything if the harpy DNA was really activating? What would it do to him? Prompto was eighteen years old, practically an adult, with a firm personality and emotions, would that override the instincts and mentality of a harpy? He could see it, the bright blue of Prompto's eyes darkening, the hands Gladio was holding down clawing at the ground and leaving marks which human nails shouldn't.

,

'Your Majesty!'

Regis turned to face the approaching Crownsguard. 'What is it?'

'The Prince needs you in the rehab room.'

'Did he say why?'

'No, but there was screaming. Amicitia and Scientia are with him and Argentum for a therapy session.'

Regis' eyes went wide and then a hand grabbed his arm.

'Then dawdling would not be a good idea at all,' his companion offered and then they were gone.

Regis stumbled slightly as they reappeared in the room to see Prompto writhing on the ground as the others held him down, Noctis cradling his head, speaking softly to him. 'Noctis?'

'Dad, help him, please!' Noctis looked up, tears running down his face and Regis warped over, looking down at Prompto only to freeze in horror.

,

He moved to join them, looking down at a blond boy with familiar features, seeing his eyes darkening towards black. He knew what the boy was…but he had thought he had wiped all the facilities out, years before this one would have been created. It seemed the program had been restarted and somehow one of the clones had come to be not just in Insomnia but within the Citadel itself and with Noctis' group.

Noctis glanced up and his eyes widened. 'Uncle?'

'Hello, my boy,' he smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair, he hadn't seen Noctis since he had begun recovering from the attack.

'Can you help him? He's my best friend, our fourth,' the Prince pleaded desperately.

Well, he hadn't seen that coming. He knelt down beside the writhing child, studying him. 'Do we know how much harpy he carries?'

'Twelve percent, but also eight percent unknown, the rest registered as human,' the blond…Scientia, answered, tersely, obviously shocked by his presence, but there was also hope in his eyes.

'Can you help?' Noctis begged.

'I know no way to stop an Awakening,' he admitted. Merperson, Harpy, no matter what the species was, once it began it could not be stopped. 'Have you bonded yet?'

'No….he's only known the truth about us for about seven months?' Noctis whispered as Prompto screamed again, Gladio and Ignis straining to hold him down.

'N….No…c…t' the boy forced out through clenched teeth, obviously fighting to focus.

'I'm here,' Noctis whispered, gently stroking his damp hair.

'H…ur.ts…'

'I know, just keep fighting, stay with us.'

He watched him trying to sooth the clone, to give him the strength to fight against his own genetic makeup. 'You need to initiate the bond Noctis, quickly.' He had no proof it would work but also no evidence it wouldn't, better to try and fail then to do nothing.

'Will that stop this?' Gladio asked.

'I honestly don't know, but it is the best chance he has. Even if it doesn't, if the three of you can anchor him he may be able to hold on to his sense of self.' That was a guess and the odds were against them, but it was the only chance the boy had. If he turned fully, lost himself to the creature within, they would be forced to kill him or lock him away for life.

Noctis nodded and shifted with a grimace to be sitting, legs spread out, Gladio helping pull Prompto up into Noctis' arms, cradled by Noct's body. He held Prompto gently to his chest even as Gladio restrained his hands. Blue eyes were now all but black, finger nails more claws than anything human.

'S…Sto.p….it,' he begged, surprising the two older men, that he was still that coherent.

Regis knelt slowly, his brace clinking against the hard floor. 'You are stronger than this Prompto,' he told the boy, reaching out to grip his wrist gently but firmly, helping restrain him.

'No…le.t…hurt…'

That surprised him, was the boy saying what he thought? Asking them to keep him from hurting anyone. 'How old was he?' he asked and Ignis looked up at him. 'When he was rescued from the facility.'

,

'Seven,' Noctis answered gently, placing a hand over Prompto's heart. 'This will feel weird,' he warned, not sure if Prom could hear him, 'it might hurt, it's not meant too but I don't know…' he looked for some sign that Prompto understood and his head jerked in an attempt to nod.

'T…tr.trust,' Prompto got out and Noctis managed a shaky smile before reaching for his magic, praying it would work. They couldn't lose him, if this didn't work then they would have to try something else. He would never give up on him. Prompto grit his teeth to hold back another scream, locking eyes with him and he let the magic flow.

,

'T…tr.trust,' he forced out without screaming seeing Noctis smile back shakily. Prompto grit his teeth to hold back another scream, locking eyes with Noct's, even as he struggled to lock his muscles, to stay still. He could feel Gladio holding his arms, the King's hand on one wrist, that left Iggy to be pinning his legs. It hurt so much! He just wanted the pain to end. The King's hand vanished from his body, leaving just them.

'We're here,' Noctis whispered, sounding like he was far away, and he felt the hand over his heart press down hard.

He screamed, back arching as ice water poured through his body, battling the flames of pain. He was unaware of his body thrashing wildly as they struggled to restrain him without hurting him. All he was aware of was the contrasting powers trying to rip him apart.

,

Noctis bit back a sob, fighting to keep his hand in place as Prompto convulsed in his arms, his Dad and Uncle moving in to help them hold him down now that the bond had been initiated and their presence wouldn't interfere. Unfocused, pure black, eyes rolled in their sockets, bare feet kicking against the floor, nails turned to claws. He closed his eyes to focus on his magic, rather than the horrible physical transformation. When he'd bonded with Ignis, there had been a brief pain for his first transformation but that had been it, nothing like this. Was it because Prom carried so little harpy that the Awakening hurt so badly?

He focused on how he felt for Prompto, his memories of their wonderful times together, pushing it all into the bond, wanting Prompto to be aware of how he felt. He struggled not to drown in the utter agony he could feel coming from Prompto despite the tiny thread connecting them. It would take time for the bond to strengthen, time they didn't have.

,

Flames were licking at his mind, sinking into his memories, thoughts….feelings… he whimpered in fear as he felt them trying to twist things. He struggled to focus on the face above him…Noctis…his Prince…the enemy…his friend…love….

'Kill….' The voice hissed through his mind and he screamed in terror, even as the physical agony centred on his back, between his shoulders, he could feel the skin stretching, warping. That voice….he knew it…the Scientist…the one in charge of them…he gasped and whimpered.

A wave of cold washed through his body so suddenly his teeth chattered harshly as the voice was pushed out briefly. It was Noct leaning over him, holding him, Noct was his best friend, more? 'K…kil.l…me,' he pleaded.

'No, you can do this Prom, you can fight it. Let us help,' Noct begged and he felt a hand in his hair before Noct pressed his forehead to his, feeling tears splash against his face.

'We're here Prompto. Reach for us,' Gladio leant over, was it Gladio?

The flames were back, and he screamed.

,

Ardyn helped hold thin yet strong shoulders down, feely pity for the child growing as he screamed in terror. Who knew what he was suffering mentally on top of the physical agony. When his spine bowed, he slipped a hand back, feeling the heat of the skin between his shoulders, something beginning to bulge beneath. The wings of a harpy were beginning to form, despite Noctis' magic.

With that pity was awe in the boys strength. He had seen a harpy Awakening once, and it had happened in minutes, mind and body transforming until there had been nothing left of the man he had called friend for years. That had been so long ago though, perhaps this was the normal time now?

Hearing him beg for death, seeing how it affected Noctis…well, he knew where he would be going when he left Insomnia. It appeared there were more facilities within the Empire he needed to 'visit'. They needed to be reminded of his existence as much as Regis' Council did.

'Sit him up,' he ordered, feeling the skin stretch further beneath his hand and they moved together to hold the clone…boy up in a seated position, his head lolling limply as he gasped for breath.

'Uncle?' Regis asked and Ardyn indicated his back. Regis grimaced in response. 'He's had two surgeries just above there.'

Ardyn nodded, seeing the mass of scars, so like those on Noctis' lower back. How much did these boys have in common? No wonder young Prompto was able to fit so well with his nephew.

,

The flames burned deeper and deeper into his very being even as his back burned the hottest. The icy water surged through his body, fighting the flames and he welcomed the cold. He felt his body go limp, losing the strength to fight, feeling as he was moved, head hanging limp. He whimpered and felt a cool hand stroke his face, weakly trying to press into the touch.

'You with me?' a voice whispered. Who? A hand tipped his face up and he struggled to focus. 'Prom?'

Enemy! Danger! He hissed, weakly trying to move but his body wouldn't respond. Kill…destroy…

'We're losing him,' another voice spoke.

'No, Prompto stay with us. It's me, Noctis, your friend. I am not your enemy,' the first voice was back.

'Tricks…lies….' Whispered through his mind. 'Kill them all.'

He struggled to move, to obey, and then gasped as a wave of cold washed through him, pouring into him and with it came something else… he could feel three presences… enemy… friends…no…more…. Love…

'We're here Prompto, hold on to us,' a voice whispered, he knew it…he…Iggy?

Hold on…he tried to reach back to them, mind clearing. He forced his eyes open, staring into terrified dark blue. 'N…oooccc…' it was a hissing slur but obviously understood as some of the fear faded.

'That's it, hold on to us, we won't let go,' Noctis encouraged, stroking his face.

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He leant into the cool touch, he could feel him…them…their strength…love…fear…he opened his mouth, trying to speak, and then the pain was back. He thrashed weakly, tears falling from his eyes and then he screamed as something exploded from his back.

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Regis grimaced as blood, tissue, and fluid literally exploded from Prompto's back, wing bones forcing their way free, swiftly unfurling as feathers covered them. He locked his own instinctive reaction to them down swiftly. The boy was still in there, still fighting. 'Noctis, the bond?'

'It's taking,' his son assured him. 'He…he's in so much pain.' He leant in to press a kiss to a burning forehead as Prompto gasped and panted. 'It's like fire in his mind, trying to twist him into something else. And….a voice, I don't recognise it, it's telling him to kill.'

'Harpies of a clan are linked, allowing them to act as one,' Ardyn explained grimly.

,

Ignis focused on keeping Prompto's legs down, listening to the others but remaining silent. As the bond began forming he turned everything he could spare onto it, offering the younger male his strength, love, and knowledge. He did look up as blood flowed down onto the ground, seeing the wings hanging limp behind his friend. He felt the limbs under him go limp and cautiously loosened his hold, flexing fingers and hands to get the flood flowing again.

Looking up he saw Prompto's eyes were closed, his body limp in their hold. 'Is it over?'

Noctis looked up, face streaked with tears. 'I don't know,' he whispered shakily. He shifted his hold on Prompto, cradling him close, rocking him, kissing his forehead.

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Gladio didn't move away though he did let go on Prompto's now clawed hands, hovering over them protectively, ready to pull them apart if needed. He glanced up and Ignis could easily see the horror and despair he was trying to hide, the fear he would have to kill a friend to protect his Prince.

Prompto's presence in the bond was murky and weak, more so than could be attributed to the bond being new, emotions muted, distant. He couldn't get a read on them, couldn't tell if he was now like the others or not.

Ignis looked down as he heard the sound of snapping bone, seeing his feet changing shape, becoming more like the talons of a bird, of a harpy. 'It's still happening,' he warned.

,

Noctis didn't need to be told, he could feel the hair under his hand becoming feathery, seeing small feathers appearing randomly across damp, pale skin. He rocked Prompto gently, not bothering to try and wipe away the tears blurring his vision. 'Dad? Uncle?' he pleaded with them for answers.

His Uncle pressed a hand to Prom's forehead for a few minutes before sighing. 'I don't know,' he admitted.

'We should move back while he's out, get him further from the pool,' Ignis offered. 'His instincts will likely be very strong at the moment.'

Noctis nodded and began pushing himself back until Gladio got up and grabbed him under the arms, pulling them back and away from the therapy pool. He saw his Dad and Uncle move around, using their bodies to block any possible view of the water.

Prompto began to stir weakly, birdlike noises coming from his throat, and they all held their breath, praying to the Astrals that he would be alright. Black eyes opened slowly, focusing up at him and then Prompto shrieked and threw himself at Noctis, knocking him onto his back even as Noctis grabbed his wrists to keep the lethal claws away from his face, drawing a leg up to help keep him off of his body.

'Prom no!' he yelped as he struggled against his now much stronger friend. He saw Gladio summon a blade out of the corner of his eye. 'No! Don't interfere,' he snapped.

Noctis shifted his weight, twisting and throwing, despite the flare of pain it caused, off balancing Prompto enough to reverse their positions. Prompto had enough training not to fall for that move anymore, the fact it had worked proved Prompto wasn't in his right mind. All of the lingering weakness from the attack seemed long gone, body empowered by his Awakening and yet…Prompto should have overpowered him in seconds. He sat on Prompto's thighs, struggling to pin his hands to the floor.

'It's okay Prompto, you're safe. It's me, Noctis. You know me,' he whispered, reaching for the nascent bond between them, trying to calm him, sending him his love, his desire to protect Prom. 'I'm here, I've got you, just calm down.'

As he spoke, Prompto fell silent, black eyes locked on him. And then he heaved with everything he had and Noctis found himself being flung off, scrambling to try and get up, finding Gladio between them, sword reluctantly in hand even as he felt Ignis' hands under his arms, hauling him up. He could feel his Dad's magic gathering in the air, ready to protect him.

'Hold!' He snapped, throwing ever bit of Princely command he could into the order.

He saw Prompto, pushed into a corner, curled with his knees to his chest, wings limp, hands covering his face. His heart pounding, he took a step away from the others, that was not normal harpy behaviour, especially with the enemy right there.

,

Regis was terrified when Prompto pinned Noctis to the ground and shocked when Ardyn held him back. It was a relief that Noctis managed to switch their positions and for a few seconds it seemed like he was getting through to his friend…until the boy threw Noctis away. He threw him off but did not attack. He called up his magic to defend his child and his Retainers only to hold back as Prompto scrambled away from them all, backing himself into a corner, cowering there. He released his hold on the magic, even as Noctis yelled at the others, willing to wait and see.

,

Ardyn was happily surprised when the boy went still as Noctis spoke to him but then he threw Noctis away only to stop the attack to cower in a corner, that was definitely not normal harpy behaviour. He should be attacking and trying to kill them all, even with the horrendous odds against him, especially if he was hearing the voice of an older harpy commanding him to do so. Personally, he would prefer to live in peace with the others species of Eos, but if they wanted to fight then so be it.

Even if the child was lost, they couldn't kill him now, he would have to be detained for life, kept secret from everyone. Killing him would break the bond, injuring the other three.

When Noctis took a step towards the cowering form, Regis tensed but Ardyn shook his head. The boy's only hope of any kind of freedom was Noctis being able to reach him. He could tell from only a few minutes exposure to them, his nephew loved the boy and if there was any way to reach the human part of him, that love was likely the key.

,

His mind was being torn apart! He couldn't think as the fire and ice water fought inside of him, reacting to the pain but then there was something…soft, gentle….the icy feeling reacting to it, soothing the pain and he panted, gradually becoming semi-aware of a voice.

'It's okay Prompto, you're safe. It's me, Noctis. You know me.' The frosty cold surged, growing stronger, cooling the flames. 'I'm here, I've got you, just calm down.' Slowly an image came into focus above him, the scent of salt water filling his nose…enemy!

He threw it off with everything he had, scrambling back and away as he was overwhelmed by new senses, all screaming danger, enemies. He cowered in a corner, hiding behind his hands as he struggled to make sense of everything. There were five…two older and powerful, one more so than any other. The other three were younger, weaker, but still strong. A voice in his head screamed to attack, to kill, to rip them apart and he curled his arms around his head. He…he had to obey….didn't want to…wanted….

,

As Prompto continued to huddle in the corner, almost rocking himself, Noctis glanced at his Dad and Uncle. He could tell they were wary but also unsure.

Ardyn offered a small smirk and waved him forward. 'Carefully,' his ancestor warned and Noctis nodded.

Ever so slowly he began to move towards Prompto, making noise so as not to startle him, but being careful not to be too noisy, crawling on the tiled floor, not willing to risk falling if he tried to get up. Harpies had far better hearing than a human and he didn't want to hurt him with what would normally be a normal volume. 'It's okay Prom, it's just me. I won't hurt you. You know me,' he murmured, watching as Prompto gradually stopped moving and then he heard it, the soft noises of fear and distress, more than that, he could feel it, though weakly. That worried him, could Prompto speak or understand? 'I know you're scared but it's okay, we'll help. No one is going to hurt you.' Seeing Prompto beginning to tense he pushed up to sit on his knees, ignoring his screaming back. 'Please Prom, give me some kinda sign you can understand me,' he pleaded. 'Let me see you.'

A wing shifted, moving up, hiding more of him from sight but it was a reaction, conscious or not.

'I'm not scared of you, or disgusted. No matter what, you're still Prompto. You're my best friend, one of mine. Can't you feel it?' he asked, ever so gently nudging the bond and he saw Prompto shiver slightly in reaction. 'Sorry, it's cold. Comes from being a sea creature I guess.' He kept rambling on softly and ever so slowly the wing fell away again.

Gradually, a hand shifted, and black eyes met blue, the rest of his face hidden still. He already missed the bright blue that always held a smile, even when he was in pain. He made sure to stay still, offering a small, closed mouthed, smile, knowing better than to show teeth and offer a challenge. 'There you are,' he whispered. 'Can I come closer?' he asked, and he heard a hesitant chirp, so he shifted to crawl closer until he saw Prompto tensing again. He sat with his legs crossed, facing Prompto.

,

Part of him wanted to scream at Noctis to get back, to put himself between the two, to defend his Prince. But….it was Prompto. He was Noctis' Shield, his first duty was to protect the heir to the Throne. Noctis had ordered him to stand down and he was grateful, he didn't want the bubbly blonds blood on his hands. The idea of killing a bond mate, someone he was truly coming to love…the very thought of it sickened him. Seeing Noct go down under Prompto had terrified him, but now that Prompto was crammed into the corner he realised something, Noctis shouldn't have been strong enough to hold him off. That had to mean that some part of Prompto had been holding him back even while trying to attack.

Seeing him now, it was hard to remember he was no longer human, that he was physically the strongest in the room, except for maybe Ardyn. He physically seemed to be mostly harpy, but those actions were all human as he cowered from them, trying to hide even as Noctis whispered to him, until he was allowed to get closer.

,

Regis watched as Noctis slowly calmed Prompto, getting closer to him, and then he winced as he realised there was someone missing from the room. He reached out through his own bonds to Cor, urging him to come. That was when he realised someone was trying to get into the room which Ardyn must have sealed. He moved slowly and carefully across the room to open it and slip outside, finding a panicked medical team. He quickly dismissed them and then saw Cor approaching at a jog, feeling his worry as he saw what room Regis had come out of.

'Regis?' he called, and Regis grimaced slightly, he didn't want to have to tell him what had happened. He had no choice though, so he pulled him into another room and sealed it to ensure they wouldn't be overheard. 'What's happened?' He demanded.

'It's Prompto,' Regis started, seeing his Marshal tense. 'Something…activated the harpy DNA.'

'No,' Cor shook his head in disbelief, refusing to believe it.

'He's alive,' he quickly assured him. 'Noctis initiated the bonding process. He's scared and likely very confused with his new senses. Have you ever seen a harpy cower in a corner rather than attack? And yet that is what he is doing,' he explained as gently as he could give such news. 'The physical change is shocking,' he warned. 'Noctis has managed to get close but you might have more luck. You've known him longer, even lacking a bond to him.'

,

Cor was in shock, horrified that Prompto had undergone the Awakening, terrified that the boy he had watched over for so long may be gone. He should have been with him! He didn't know what he could have done but he could have at least been there for him. He had no children but…Prompto was the closest he had. 'I need to see him,' he stated, and Regis nodded, leading him back to the rehab room.

'Remember, his senses are a lot stronger and probably going haywire. Take it slow and quiet.'

Cor nodded and followed him into the room. He saw Ardyn by a wall, then Ignis and Gladio in the middle of the room. It took him longer to spot Noctis sitting cross legged on the floor, leaning forward slightly, towards the corner. He stepped quietly closer and froze as he saw Prompto for the first time. He forced back the first, instinctive, reaction to the sight of a harpy, especially so close to his Prince. He made himself really take him in, seeing the limp wings, taloned feet, clawed hands covering his face, blond hair now feathery looking. He was dressed in swim trunks, showing scattered, small, feathers over bared skin.

He took a deep breath and began moving slowly forward. 'Hey Sunshine,' he called softly, using the name he'd given him on their journey to Insomnia and he felt a shift, knowing Prompto was aware of his presence and looking at him even though his face was mostly hidden. 'Having a pretty bad day, huh?' that got an odd noise from the kid and he felt something inside himself relax at the acknowledgment of his words, Prompto could understand him.

He dropped to his knees so as not to tower over the boys, Noctis quiet and watching now. Ever so slowly he made his way closer, until he was even with Noctis. 'Can I come closer?' he asked gently, gentle wasn't something he did often, except with these two precious boys. 'You know I won't hurt you,' he reminded the skittish boy and then he heard a hesitant chirp.

He shifted slowly closer, hands open and down, unthreatening as he slid across the smooth floor, noticing Regis move behind him to help block the view of the pool if Prompto looked up. As he got closer he heard the nervous chittering so he went still, waiting for them to stop before moving again. He finally reached the wall and ever so carefully he leant against it, beside Prompto. Cor heard his breathing speed up, his body trembling slightly. Fear? Or fighting new instincts that likely screamed to attack?

There was a little space between them, and Cor made sure he was slumped, making himself smaller the best he could, radiating not a threat. He stayed like that for a while, not looking directly at Prompto, listening as he slowly calmed down, before Cor slowly moved one hand towards Prompto, fingers spread to show his hand was empty of weapons. Nervous chittering came from Prompto again, but he didn't lash out, and Cor brushed his fingers over the boys arm, feeling the fine down covering the skin, so fine he couldn't see it, only larger feathers visible, scattered in no apparent pattern over pale skin.

'See? That doesn't hurt. Your down is soft,' he murmured, and he met black eyes without fear. 'It will be alright Prompto, we know you're still in there,' he promised and then a shaky arm lowered slowly, revealing part of his face. 'That's it,' he praised gently, lifting his hand to gently brush his knuckles over Prompto's cheek and then Prompto was pressing into his touch, soft, cooing noises coming from his throat and Cor smiled, careful not to flash his teeth. 'Come here Sunshine,' he urged gently, lifting his arm in offering and Prompto hesitated, torn, but then slowly he uncurled further, leaning towards him. Cor wrapped his arms around his shoulders, careful of the drooping wings. He tucked the kid into his side, running his hand up and down his arm to sooth him.

'Cor gives great hugs,' Noctis whispered and Prompto chirped, rubbing his cheek against Cor's chest.

Cor glanced up at his King to see Regis relaxing, looking utterly relieved and he could feel it too. He could feel it through the bond, if it had come to no other choice, he would not have let Cor or any of the boys land the killing blow, even if it meant doing so himself. Though, with the bond in place, even brand new, killing Prompto would have been a very, very last resort.

,

He hurt! Everything was loud and bright, too much! He cowered against the wall, knees to his chest, back weirdly heavy as he hid his face in his hands. He just wanted it all to stop! He heard noise, felt someone approaching, smelling saltwater, felt the urge to attack and huddled deeper into the corner.

'It's okay Prom, it's just me. I won't hurt you. You know me,' a voice murmured softly, too close!

The voice…he…he knew it? He went totally still, senses locked on the nearby being, the one part of his mind screamed was dangerous, the enemy. He couldn't help the noises coming from him, too distressed and scared.

'I know you're scared but it's okay, we'll help. No one is going to hurt you.' The voice continued and he tensed as it got even closer but then it stopped, moving lower. 'Please Prom, give me some kinda sign you can understand me,' it pleaded. 'Let me see you.'

He couldn't help it as the weight on his back shifted up, hiding more of him from sight. Something in him wanted to hide, ashamed, and he didn't understand, why didn't he want the other to see him?

'I'm not scared of you, or disgusted. No matter what, you're still Prompto. You're my best friend, one of mine. Can't you feel it?' It asked and he felt something cold wash through hm, shivering. 'Sorry, it's cold. Comes from being a sea creature I guess.' The voice kept talking but he wasn't listening to the words.

He listened to the gentle, nervous tone, felt the cold, he knew it, he did…the heavy thing slowly dropped away. Curiosity gradually began to grow and ever so slowly he shifted a hand, staring into dark blue eyes.

The other stayed still, offering a small, closed mouthed, smile, no teeth. 'There you are,' he whispered. 'Can I come closer?' he asked.

Closer? No….yes… he finally let out a hesitant chirp, watching as the other shifted to crawl closer. He tensed when it got too close and it stopped, sitting and looking at him. It…he…continued speaking and he didn't understand. It looked sad, gentle…why did part of him want to hurt him? Another part wanted to curl up in his arms and beg him never to let go. He didn't understand what was happening to him.

He felt it as one left and then it came back, with another, and he pressed deeper into the corner, scared. The new one was coming close!

'Hey Sunshine,' the new one called softly, and he focused more on it…him. Sunshine? 'Having a pretty bad day, huh?'

He felt an odd noise come from his own throat in response to that and then the new one was dropping closer to the floor as well, beginning to move even closer and he fought not to panic. 'Can I come closer?' the voice was gentle, but he felt strong, dangerous…not dangerous? 'You know I won't hurt you.'

He did? How? He closed his eyes against the pain in his head. What was wrong with him? He…he knew the voices…why didn't he remember? He peered out from behind his hands, seeing him and the first one on the floor together…past them, two more stood and there was something… then the two old ones, powerful, scary, dangerous. He focused back on the two closest. Maybe…maybe he did know them? He let out a hesitant chirp, he didn't know if he would hurt him or not but maybe it would be okay to be closer? Something told him he was stronger, could fight back if attacked.

Can Ignis Do Slash Dmg Look

The second was older than the first, big, but all he did was shift across the floor slowly, hands open and down…no claws…. Then he leant against the wall beside him, and he couldn't help it as his breathing sped up, body trembling slightly. There was a war in his head as he fought against the instinct to attack, scared…other parts saying he was safe. There was a little space between them, and the other slumped down, making himself smaller, radiating not a threat. He stayed like that for a while before slowly moving one hand, fingers spread.

He couldn't help chittering nervously, but he held himself from lashing out. Freezing totally as fingers brushed his fingers over his arm. it felt…nice?

'See? That doesn't hurt. Your down is soft,' the one murmured, and he met blue eyes, seeing no fear. 'It will be alright Prompto, we know you're still in there,' he promised .

Prompto…he lowered a shaky arm slowly, to see better. Prompto…was him? Prompto….yes, he was Prompto. He was…

'That's it,' the other praised gently, lifting his hand to gently brush his knuckles over Prompto's cheek.

He froze at the touch but then he was pressing into it, soft, cooing noises coming from his throat. He couldn't help it, he knew the touch…knew him, he did. Why couldn't he remember?

The other smiled at him. 'Come here Sunshine,' he urged gently, lifting his arm in offering and Prompto hesitated, torn, but then slowly he uncurled further, leaning towards him. An arm wrapped around his shoulders, careful of the weight on his back, tucking Prompto into his side, running his hand up and down his arm and it was soothing.

He closed his eyes, forcing his instincts under control. He wouldn't hurt Prompto, he promised! And Cor never lied to him…Cor! This was Cor, he…he had…found him? Saved him?

'Cor gives great hugs,' the first whispered and Prompto chirped, rubbing his cheek against Cor's chest.

He smelt like saltwater too, power…he shivered in fear but forced himself to press closer. It was getting easier, to ignore the voice. He didn't want to listen to it, he wouldn't. It wasn't here, they were. He slowly lifted his head to look up at Cor, studying him. Yes, this was Cor and Cor wouldn't hurt him. A hand shifted and he felt it run through his hair, shivering at the touch but unable to hold back the contented noises. 'Cor.'

Cor blinked and then smiled again. 'Can you speak?' he asked, confusing him, he just had. 'Can you speak Lucian? You can understand us? You can nod for yes.'

Prompto carefully nodded. Speak Lucian? He was so confused. He just talked, there were different ways?

'Prom?' the first called and he looked over at him again, head tilting, curious.

He looked down at the hand slowly extending towards him, then glanced up at Cor to see no alarm in his expression. He lifted his own hand towards him and then stopped, looking between their limbs. His was so different….long sharp claws. That…he…he yanked his arm back, tucking both to his chest.

'Oh Prom, no. It's okay,' the first whispered. 'Please…can I come closer? I would never hurt you.' He felt the cold sensation again, something…longing….soft…

But…he might hurt him…he couldn't, that would be bad. He was to be protected. He had to protect his…friend….his what? He jerked a nod, holding himself still in Cor's arms.

'Okay, thank you,' he shifted across the floor and then gently put his hand on Prompto's knee.

Prompto watched him, curious. Ever so slowly he lowered his own hand from his chest, watching as the first one shifted his hand to touch it and then he slipped his fingers between his claws, gently touching his hand and wrist and…he felt a flash of pain in his head, an image, two hands like this, one wet, scaled, clawed…merman… He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear it.

'Prom? You okay?' he asked softly. 'You remember this? When you first found out about me. I was so scared you would hate me or be disgusted but then you touched my hand even with the claws.'

He opened his eyes to stare into dark blue, listening to his words. He found his other hand moving, reaching towards him, and then he froze, uncertain but the other just sat still. Very slowly and carefully, he reached out to touch his face, not wanting to hurt him. He watched as his eyes closed and he leant into his touch and then Prompto shivered, feeling the cold again. It…it was coming from him. It was strange but…he remembered burning, hurting, the cold had made it stop.

,

Regis watched as Cor and Noctis talked quietly with Prompto, seeing the boy slowly relax. There was something though… about how he was reacting to them. He could almost see a lightbulb go off over the boys head at one point when he was looking at Cor but then when he looked at Noctis, it hit Regis. Prompto didn't recognise his son. He hadn't recognised Cor at first either, but he seemed to now. Had his memory been permanently affected? Or was it simply that with all the new information from his senses, the pain of his transformation, that he was having difficulty putting things together?

,

Noctis stared into black eyes as he held Prompto's hand and realisation sank in…there was no recognition in those eyes. He wanted to scream, cry…and then a hand was lifting towards his face before freezing. Noctis remained still, waiting to see what Prom would do. He seemed to recognise Cor, so why not him? Then a clawed hand came to very carefully rest against his cheek and he let his eyes close, leaning in to the warm touch. Unable to help himself he gently reached for the magic that now bound them together, feeling Prompto shiver. He opened his eyes to see confusion fading to realisation of something.

Noctis was surprised when Prompto leant away from Cor and towards him. He smiled without teeth again and lifted his free hand slowly to move across his shoulders, pressing gently and Prompto went with it. He shifted around so that his back was to the wall, adjusting his arms so he was holding Prompto. 'I've got you Prom,' he whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

,

Lips brushed over his forehead as he was held, and he chirped before clenching his eyes shut as his head screamed. He shivered, hands coming to cling to Noct's shirt, not noticing as it tore. Noct…Noctis…he trembled in his arms. This was Noctis, his best friend….his Prince…his…his? He rubbed his face against his chest and then lifted his head, seeing the sadness in his eyes. He leant in and pressed his lips to his. 'Noct.'

,

Noctis froze as dry lips pressed to his for a second and then he made a noise. He stared down at Prompto, he kissed him, did that mean? 'Prom? Do you know me?' Noctis asked shakily, hope growing and then Prompto's head jerked up and down and Noctis choked back a sob of relief. He pulled him even closer, hugging him tight. 'I knew you were still in there. You're going to be okay.' It didn't matter that he couldn't seem to speak any kind of human tongue, he was responding to them. He remembered him now. Was his memory damaged? Or was it temporary?

He let his hands rub soothing circles on Prompto's back before slowly moving to his shoulders, to where his new wings emerged, very gently massaging the muscles, feeling Prompto go limp against him. He could feel the muscles were rigid and it wasn't surprising, the musculature had been forced to change quickly and was now supporting a lot of new weight. 'Sore, huh?' he murmured, hearing a noise he took to mean yes. 'You're not used to the weight of wings, and the muscles feel different,' he explained gently. He glanced up at where his Dad and Uncle were watching. 'Dad, potion?'

His Dad frowned and glanced at Uncle Ardyn who seemed to consider things.

'I see no reason not to try,' the oldest Lucis Caelum admitted. 'It should at least help the pain.'

Noctis summoned one and gently broke it against the bare skin, feeling Prompto shiver. To him, Prompto felt hot within the magic of the bond. Which meant his magic likely felt cold to his friend. 'Sorry,' he murmured, going back to gently massaging the muscles. 'I guess that feels really cold to you. I can feel you and to me you're hot, but it's nice too,' he explained softly, feeling Prompto go limp in his hold. 'I know you're confused and scared but it's going to be okay. We'll help you adjust,' he promised. He heard the soft, happy noises coming from Prompto even as he rubbed his face against Noct again and Noctis smiled down at him.

He felt a hand come to rest on his shoulder and willingly leant into Cor, his back was killing him, but he wasn't going to move. Prompto needed him and he wanted him to calm down because it might trigger his transformation. If they could get him back to human form they would be able to communicate better, could get an idea of what he remembered, if there was permanent damage.

'You're doing so good Prom, I'm proud of you. You're safe. I bet you're tired too,' he whispered, feeling Prompto settle his head on his shoulder, strangely textured hair tickling his neck. He moved a hand up to run through feathery golden hair, he felt Prompto press into his touch. He glanced down to see his eyes drooping sleepily. 'It's okay, you can sleep.'

Prompto blinked up at him, beginning to drowse and then he obviously said something, Noctis couldn't understand him, just like Prompto didn't understand them under water. He knew he'd pick up some simple words with enough exposure since Prompto had from them.

'We won't leave you,' he promised. 'Love you,' he breathed in his ear and Prompto's eyes finally fell shut, his body becoming lax in his arms, heavier, as he relaxed totally. Noctis just kept up the gentle stroking, wanting him to know he was there. He looked up as Ignis carefully moved a little closer, kneeling down.

'Do you need anything?' he breathed as quietly as possible.

'Water.'

'Pain pills?' He asked and Noctis grimaced but nodded. Ignis moved away and then returned and Cor took them, helping Noctis take them so he wouldn't have to stop.

Then they startled as Prompto's body shifted, wings melting away until the very human form he knew well was sleeping in his arms. Noctis let the relief wash over him as Prom became a bit lighter without the wings and extra muscle.

'Do you want to move?' Cor asked and Noctis hesitated.

'It may be better for him to wake somewhere familiar,' Uncle Ardyn spoke up.

'What if he doesn't remember? He didn't know us at first. Waking up somewhere new could scare him,' Noctis answered.

'Your room Noct,' Ignis offered. 'Even if he does not consciously remember it, his own scent is through it, especially the bed.'

Noctis hesitated but then nodded and Cor stood, bending down to carefully lift Prompto without waking him. It was normal to be utterly exhausted from the first transformation, it was shocking he'd stayed awake so long, but fear could do that.

Gladio moved in and picked Noctis up very gently but he still had to bite his lip to smother the pained noise as his back let him know it was very unimpressed. 'I've got you,' Gladio promised, holding him securely. Ignis went ahead of them to make sure the corridor was empty just to be safe.

'Call immediately if you need anything. Cor, please stay with them. If Prompto doesn't remember the other boys then your presence will be a comfort,' his Dad said. He then walked over and took Noctis' hand in his. 'I am so proud of you,' he whispered and Noct blushed slightly. He hadn't done anything special.

Uncle Ardyn chuckled. 'Oh, you did nephew. I have seen many harpies over the centuries, what you did here, anchoring him and then calming him is something I have never seen done. We will talk later; I believe I will be staying for some time.' With that he vanished.

,

Ignis quickly pulled back the covers and then stepped back as Gladio settled Noctis down on the bed, Ignis putting the pillows into place to help support him. once he was comfortable, Cor lowered Prompto's sleeping body into Noct's waiting arms. It was risky, what if Prompto was confused when he woke and lashed out? But there was no way Noctis would allow himself to be parted from their newest bond mate, not when the bond needed contact to stabilise and strengthen. He sat down on the bed, pulling his gloves off before gently running his fingers through Prompto's hair. They had come so close to losing him. he felt Gladio's hand rest on his shoulder, offering comfort.

'He'll be oaky, whatever it takes, we'll help him.'

'He may never remember us,' Ignis whispered.

'So we make new memories, with no secrets this time,' Gladio told him.

'Gladio's right,' Noctis agreed.

,

Regis collapsed behind his desk, head in his hands. It had come so close to going horribly wrong. It was hard enough for him, being parted from two of his, he couldn't imagine if any of them were actually dead. Yet they had almost had to make that decision for young Prompto, to kill him to save Noctis. Yet his son had never been afraid, had he known, sensed, that Prompto wouldn't hurt him?

He picked up the phone and began making calls. Prompto's parents were mostly absent and as far as he knew they were no longer in contact; besides they were fully human and wouldn't be able to do anything to help Prompto's condition. There was also no way the boy could return to his own apartment in his condition. He had been staying in the Citadel for safety and access to medical care but now he would need to become an official resident. Perhaps once he had adapted, if he regained his memories, he could return to his apartment, but there was no guarantee his memories would return. And even if they did, he doubted the others would let him live outside of the Citadel without them.

They would need a story to cover his sudden changes in personality and memory, no one could know of his Awakening. He was eighteen and so did not need a guardian normally, though if one became necessary due to his altered mental state, he had the feeling Cor would be volunteering.

,

He felt warm and safe, there was a cool hand on his back, gently stroking the skin and it felt nice. Everything was soft, he could smell saltwater, power….Noct…Cor…others…himself? He shifted, not wanting to wake, but something had changed.

'Shh, it's okay,' Noctis murmured in his ear and he became aware they were pressed together, his head resting on Noct's shoulder. He lazily rubbed his cheek against him even as he realised it was Noct stroking his back. He pressed into the hand, it felt nice.

Ever so slowly he opened his eyes, blinking in the low light. He stiffened; this wasn't the same place.

'Easy, it's okay Prom, you're safe,' Noctis promised. 'You awake?'

He nodded, hand shifting to clutch at Noctis. 'Where?' he asked and blinked at the noise.

'Home,' was the answer.

Home? What was home? He turned his head, but he couldn't see Noct properly and he shifted, Noctis moving so there was space enough between them that they could see each other's face. There was a soft smile on Noctis' face and he reached out, freezing as he saw his hand…no claws…

'It's okay Prompto, just stay calm. You changed back when you feel asleep,' Noctis explained but he was still confused. 'You know who I am?'

'Noct,' he answered immediately.

'That's me,' Noctis' smile widened. 'You didn't recognise me before, did you?' he asked and Prompto shook his head, feeling bad. 'Hey, it's okay. You've been through something really traumatic.'

He frowned in confusion, he had? The pain… 'It hurt.'

'I know,' Noctis hugged him again and Prompto cuddled in.

Then it hit him. 'Couldn't understand me?'

Can Ignis Do Slash Dmg Mean

'You weren't speaking a human language before Prompto, you were communicating like a harpy. Now you've shifted back to human, you're speaking Lucian again.'

He still didn't fully get it, but he believed Noct. 'Kay.'

'Do you remember Iggy and Gladio?' Noct asked and Prompto tried but the names meant nothing. Was he meant to know? 'Shh, it's okay if you don't. No one will be mad. Even if you never remember from before.'

'Sorry,' he mumbled and Noct's arms tightened around him. With Noct holding him he felt totally safe, cared for…loved. He tried to press closer, rubbing his cheek against Noct's chest.

,

'None of this is your fault,' he whispered as he held Prompto, heart breaking for him. 'You can get to know them again if you never remember. Just know they love you and they want you to be safe and happy.' He felt Prompto nod against his chest. 'They'd like to see you, if you're up to it. They won't come any closer than you want.'

Prompto was quiet in his arms and he let him think in peace. 'Stay?'

'Of course,' he promised. Now he had a new worry, Prompto's speech. But he shook it off as Prompto nodded. 'Okay,' he reached with his magic for them and soon there was a soft knock on the door. 'Come in,' he called, and it opened, Ignis peering in.

'Noct?'

He felt Prompto stiffen slightly in his arms. 'It's okay, that's Iggy,' he explained. 'Come in, slowly,' he told Ignis who nodded and slowly approached the bed.

'Prompto?' Ignis called softly and Noctis loosened his grip for Prompto to move slightly, peering up at Ignis who smiled. 'Good morning,' he greeted. Unsurprisingly, Prompto had slept the rest of the day and night, between the therapy session in the pool and then

,

Ignis stayed where he was once Prompto looked at him, letting the blond study him. He hated seeing no recognition in his eyes, not when he had gotten used to Prom being happy to see him. He fought the urge to hold his breath as Prompto cautiously sat up, Noctis moving with him to lean against the headboard, watching but not interfering. 'I am glad to see you awake.' He was amazed to find Prompto so calm.

They had been worried that once awake again, with the pain and haze of his transformation gone, that Prompto would be different, more like a normal harpy. He was changed, different, but not in the way they had feared. None of them had been happy with Noctis kicking them all out of the room, but he'd had a point. Overwhelming Prompto was asking for trouble. He didn't know how he was controlling his instincts so well if he didn't remember them, maybe part of him did? He reached out with the bond, feeling Prompto's confusion, fear, and then Prom looked at Noctis and Ignis swallowed as he felt it, love. Was it because the bond came from Noctis that Prompto had remembered him, loved him? Though he had also recognised the Marshal.

'May I approach?' he asked gently, and he waited while Prom looked nervously at Noctis who smiled softly at him. Prompto turned back to him and nodded, chewing his lip uneasily. He moved very slowly and calmly, approaching the bed until he stood beside it and then he carefully extended a hand to Prompto.

,

Prompto stared at the hand, unsure. Noct said he knew Iggy…why couldn't he remember? He wanted to! He glanced at Noct again, he wasn't scared or worried. He carefully lifted his hand and reached out, their fingers brushing. He watched Iggy, he had weird things in front of his eyes, and it made them harder to see, he didn't like that.

'Lose the specs, Iggy,' Noctis murmured and then Iggy was lifting his other hand to his own face, removing the things (specs?), letting him see his eyes.

He glanced down as Iggy moved his hand, gently threading his fingers through Prompto's own. His skin was like Noct's, cool, and he smelt like saltwater too. The smell that made part of him want to hurt him. That would be bad, right? He didn't want to hurt Noct, he didn't. He was his friend. Hurting Iggy would hurt Noct. 'Iggy,' he whispered, getting a smile.

'I am so glad you are doing better,' Iggy told him. 'You had us all very worried.'

'Don't remember you,' he admitted, feeling bad, he could tell Iggy was sad and…he didn't like that?

'I know,' Iggy answered and then he slowly sat down on the edge of the soft thing.

He felt himself tense at the move but then he forced himself to relax. He wasn't going to hurt him. 'Sorry.'

'You have nothing to be sorry for Prompto.'

He sounded so sad and Prompto found himself crawling towards him, reaching out to him and Iggy opened his arms, letting him fall against him. He felt Iggy wrap his arms around him lips pressing to the top of his head and it felt…right.

'I'm just glad you're with us,' Iggy whispered. 'No matter what, that is all that matters.'

He closed his eyes, curling in close, forcing his mind and body to do what he wanted, to accept Iggy was safe. He pushed the whispering voice back as far as he could, focusing on the feelings Noct caused in him instead.

'We will always keep you safe,' Iggy promised and….he believed him. Iggy…had saved him before, he didn't know how or from what, but he had, and that was enough to make it easy to relax.

TBC..

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 3

Prompto followed Ignis into the Citadel, he felt so confused and scared for Noct. He didn't know what was going on, barely noticing the grandeur of the building around him. He'd been on a public tour once, before he ever met Noctis, but that had been the public areas. He'd also seen the isolation parts of the medical wing and even a small room before the withdrawal had set in when he'd first been brought to the city. Iggy had brought him up an elevator from the garage into what was obviously not the public sections. They entered another elevator but this one took them down…below the garage?

'Prompto,' Ignis called and he blinked, that sounded like he'd been calling his name for a while. 'Noctis has fought hard to allow you to know the secrets you will soon be told,' he explained gently yet firmly, did he really think he could ever…

'I'd never betray him,' Prompto told him immediately and Ignis smiled softly. The elevator stopped and e followed Ignis down a hall, then the older male was pushing open a double door and Prompto stepped in only to stare in awe. The room was mostly water with walkways cross the room. There was a section in front of them that was solid, with benches, two doors he guessed led to changing rooms and a massage table all set up. 'This is…' he didn't have words for it.

'Pretty amazing?' a familiar voice offered and Prompto looked around wildly before spotting the head of wet black hair and he ran over, dropping to his knees besides where Noctis was resting on his arms, body in the water.

'Noct…' he choked out. He was okay! 'You….I thought….what happened?' he reached out shakily for his best friend, fighting back tears of relief.

,

Noctis saw the tears in Prompto's eyes and felt utterly horrible for scaring him so badly. He'd been feeling so good that his transformation triggering had come as a total shock and he'd had no time to think. When Prompto reached out he hesitated but then lifted a hand to take his, squeezing gently, and he saw his friend frown in confusion. He wanted to greet him properly but he didn't dare, not when Prompto didn't know. He fought the urge to tense or pull his hand away as Prom looked down at their joined hands, knowing he had felt the differences.

,

Prompto gripped Noct's hand and felt him squeeze back gently but then he looked down, frowning, something felt strange. Yeah, he was expecting his hand to be wet but… his skin was way too cold, and he felt something sharp resting against his own skin. What he saw had his eyes widening in shock and he remembered Iggy's words outside…Royal Secrets…he took a shaky breath. 'Noct?' he whispered as he stared at the sharp claws on Noctis' hands and were those scales?

'I was going to tell you over the holidays,' Noctis whispered in return. 'I… promise not to scream?' he asked and Prompto nodded, not sure if he could speak. 'Scoot over,' Noctis told him, releasing his hand to brace on the edge and Prompto shuffled sideways on his knees.

He watched as Noctis pulled himself up onto the side, blinking as his mind tried to make sense of what he was seeing, his heart beginning to pound. Noctis had lost his shirt at some point since diving into the canal, rivulets of water running over his skin, dark blue and black flecks littering his skin…not flecks, scales. His eyes followed the water down Noct's body to his bellybutton but then smooth skin with a scattering of dark scales became fully covered in scales, tapering into a long black tail which was still partially in the water.

He looked up at Noct's face, noticing now that hidden in his dark hair were pointed fin-like ears which flicked slightly. He searched his face closely, noticing something seemed different about his pupils before moving down again. He didn't just have a tail, he had fins. Seeing him looking Noct twisted slightly to let him see his back, revealing a fin that trailed down his spine, down towards the mass of scar tissue from his childhood injury.

'Breath Prompto,' Ignis' calm voice reached him from far away, and he realised he was almost hyperventilating, feeling gentle but firm gloved hands on his shoulders and he struggled to breath.

Noctis had a tail… and half remembered stories came back to him, things he'd been taught as a child, stories of the monstrous, inhuman, Lucian Royals. Mixed with those were the old myths his Mum had told him at night, reading from a children's book. Of the beautiful mercreatures who would draw sailors in and drown them. That wasn't possible…was it…was that why he felt…

'Prom?' Noctis called his name softly and he looked back up at his face.

,

Noctis didn't know what to do but stay still and let Prompto look for as long as he needed, but he saw blue eyes going too wide, his breathing speeding up until he was gasping, and he didn't know what to do. Thankfully Specs stepped in and Prompto's breathing gradually slowed. 'Prom?' he called softly, scared that he wouldn't be able to accept him, to accept them. His friend lifted his head to look at him and Noctis felt his heart break as he saw pupils dilated with fear, slight tremors shaking the lanky body.

He fought back the hurt, recalling all of his lessons….fear was a normal first reaction, even if the person knew you. This was a shock for Prompto that had come with no warning. He slowly slid back into the water to give him space, resting his arms on the ledge. Ignis had shown him the kind of stories people told of their kind, of the seducers who used men, the tricky savages who drowned and ate humans… Prompto likely knew those stories too and it would make sense for him to remember them now. Would he think that was what Noct had been doing?

'Prom,' he called again, and his friend slowly looked at him.

'N…Noct?' Prompto stammered and Noctis winced, how much worse would it be if he saw Noctis' teeth?

He slowly offered his hand again. He licked his lips but knew he had to talk to him, just hoping he didn't run at seeing his sharp teeth. 'Please Prom, I'd never hurt you,' he swore. 'I didn't want you to find out like this. I was going to tell you over vacation and then show you. I know I look scary,' he swallowed hard. He started as he felt warm fingers hesitantly brush his, but he kept totally still. 'You're my best friend Prompto. I know what the stories say but I've never drowned someone. Never eaten anyone either.' Those stories were more about the Tidemother's children than his people but Prom wouldn't know the difference.

,

Prompto watched Noctis slip back into the water, glad for the space, fighting the urge to run. How far would he get when he didn't know the Citadel? Noctis called his name again and he forced himself to make eye contact, seeing something…fear? Why would he be afraid? Prompto was the one outnumbered and on the edge of the water. He could swim, he'd done hydrotherapy as part of his recovery, but that water looked a lot deeper than any therapy pool and in the water he would be at a massive disadvantage.

He hated that he stammered on Noctis' name and then a cool hand was offered to him again even as Noctis spoke and he struggled to listen as Noct promised he would never hurt him. So this was the secret he had been planning to share over vacation. Hearing Noct admit he knew he looked scary, hearing something in his voice, he slowly reached out, brushing cold fingers with his own, feeling them shake but unable to stop it. He felt Noct freeze in place at his touch even as he rushed to assure him he'd never drowned or eaten anyone.

Could he believe him? He glanced down at their hands, resting there but barely touching and then he forced himself to meet Noctis' eyes again. He really was afraid…of Prompto's reaction? He forced his hand to move further, to really hold Noctis' hand. He could feel small scales scattered over the skin, the claws and…webbing between the fingers but the rest of the skin felt normal, other than the temperature. He ran his fingers carefully over the scales and webbing, touching the claws that had replaced the blunt human nails he usually saw. He forced himself to think rationally and if he did then the claws and teeth made sense. If Noct was…was a merman or something…then he likely was adapted for the sea which had a lot of bigger fish and predators. You couldn't cook food under water either which meant catching and eating fish raw.

,

Once Prompto had his breathing under control, Ignis remained silent, observing the two. He could feel Noctis' fear and he shared it. He had come to care deeply for the blond and he knew Gladio had as well despite having met him only a handful of times, which made sense if Prompto was meant to be their fourth. The thought of him rejecting them…it would hurt.

He listened as Noctis bungled his way through an explanation that didn't actually tell Prompto much and he found himself holding his breath when Noctis offered his hand again and then Prompto reached back to at least touch his. He felt a surge of hope as Prompto slowly and gently explored Noctis' hand, seeing the slight tremble in pale fingers. It had to be a good sign right? If he was utterly disgusted surely he would draw back, not explore.

,

Noctis stared at his hand as Prompto ever so gently touched the various parts that were hidden when he was in human form, or the spelled blanket was over his 'legs'. He lifted his arm a bit as fingers moved down to his wrist, letting Prompto explore as much as he wished, staying silent because he didn't know what to say. Prompto's skin felt hot, even though he knew he wasn't, but it didn't hurt, it felt kind of nice.

He lifted up a little as Prompto's hand moved down his arm to his neck, skimming over his currently closed gills and then up to trace over his left cheek and then back to his ear which flicked at his touch, and Noctis shivered slightly. Prompto immediately pulled his hand back, brow furrowed in concern and Noctis smiled with his mouth closed. 'Can't really control them,' he admitted softly.

'Sorry,' Prompto whispered and it was a relief to hear him say something.

Noctis slowly reached his hand out and up and Prompto froze, eyes locked on his fingers, but he didn't try to pull away. So he rested his hand against Prompto's face, ever so careful of his claws. 'It didn't hurt,' he promised.

'Is this real?' Prompto asked. 'Or a really weird dream?' he licked his lips, obviously nervous and Noctis laughed shakily.

'Real,' he assured him.

'You can breathe?'

'Yeah,' he tipped his head to show the closed gills better. 'They close or open depending on if I'm under the surface.' Question were good, right?

'Noct…what….'

'The popular term is merman,' Ignis spoke up quietly to keep from startling Prompto.

Prompto turned slightly to see him. 'Are you?'

Ignis nodded. 'Yes, as is Gladio. Although I gained my form from my connection to Noctis while Gladio was born as one.'

'Why are you telling me this?' Prompto asked and Noctis shifted to grip the ledge, ready to push himself up and out again.

'Noct,' Ignis chided.

'I'm fine Ignis,' he argued and Prompto looked between them.

'What?'

'Breathing above water is fine, leaving it when he cannot shift back is not a good idea for more than a minute or two at a time,' Ignis answered before Noctis could insist it was fine.

'What?' Prompto's eyes widened. 'Noct stay in.'

Noctis felt a flash of relief at the concern in Prompto's voice. He sighed, almost pouting, he wanted to be out with them. He knew why Iggy was staying out, his form would be even more startling than Noctis'. Gladio would be no better, his form even more predatory looking. Better Prompto only see him until he could get used to such things. He offered his hand again and smiled when Prompto took it. Prompto was pretty accepting of physical touch, slinging an arm around his shoulders when Noctis would lean against him on the couch, lying side by side in the grass, he hoped he could accept that mers preferred even more contact. It wasn't even sexual or anything outside of those they bonded to, they just thrived off being able to touch each other. A lack of physical contact could have detrimental effects after too long. 'I'll be fine,' he tried to argue but Ignis glared.

'You've been pushing yourself too much Noctis.'

'What do you mean?' Prompto demanded and Ignis adjusted his glasses.

'The injury to Noctis' back did not just physically harm him, it damaged his magic. It has left him unable to control his transformation. His control has improved, which is why he has been allowed to attend school this year. The blanket he uses has powerful magic in it that hides the changes when he transforms while also keeping her mer form supported despite being on land.'

'The pain attacks?' Prompto asked and Ignis nodded. 'Noct stay in the water.'

'Shall I come in with you?' Ignis offered and Noctis glanced at Prompto. 'Ah, yes….'

'What?'

'Mer forms are all different, although they do tend to run in families. My form may be…even more shocking for you to see,' Ignis admitted and Noct could hear the discomfort he was trying to hide.

'I just wanted Prom to be able to look and touch,' he admitted softly. He wanted Prompto see his true form, to accept it, accept him, them…to love them.

,

Prompto blinked at that, he had been willing to hurt himself just so Prompto could try and come to terms with this? What did Iggy look like if they thought it'd freak him out more? Did he want to know? Listening and talking…he still acted like the Noctis he'd come to know. Maybe all those stories were wrong…and he knew better than to believe anything the Empire had taught him. He slipped his free hand down to feel cool water, it felt different to the therapy pools, so he guessed it was saltwater which made sense. 'I was meant to be an MT,' the words were out before he realised and they both looked at him, obviously confused.

'Prompto?' Noctis pulled himself higher up, eyes narrowed in confusion.

Prompto shifted off his knees, fingers going to his wristband, unable to look at either of them. 'I wasn't born, I was made in a lab.' He removed the wristband and bared his barcode to them before pulling off the bandana around his arm.

He hesitated but then reached for Noct's hand and he gave it immediately, dark blue eyes still showing confusion. He pressed Noct's hand to the skin, feeling it give way, to reveal cold metal, staring at the ground, not wanting to see his reaction. 'I take photos because it keeps me from reaching for a gun I don't have. They…they gave us a number, not a name, trained us every day, failure meant termination. They'd strap us to tables and inject this black sludge…the Scourge…and it burned so much. My eyes were dark purple when I first came to Insomnia….Cor saved me. He was investigating the facility and I was slated for decommissioning. If he hadn't taken me I would have died. Technically I pretty much died a few times in the Citadel medical facilities. Without the treatments my body was rejecting what they'd done to me. I don't remember much, just flashes till eventually I woke up with a tube down my throat and wires everywhere. I had no control of my body, couldn't even breath without help. But I got better and the Argentum's adopted me after a while. All that's left is the port and barcode. I was in therapy for a long time, I didn't know how to act around actual people, how to be a person,' he stopped talking, knowing he'd been babbling at high speed, not looking at either of them, not wanting to see them realise just what they had let get close.

Noctis was suddenly pulling and pushing himself up even higher, wet arms wrapping around Prompto, soaking hair resting against his heart, and he froze in shock. Didn't Noct get it? He was less of a person than any merperson. He heard odd noises coming from Noct and he realised they would probably carry well under water. He felt a firm, dry hand grip his shoulder, Ignis' body pressing against his back, his other hand gently stroking his hair and he shook, waiting for whatever wold happen next.

,

'This was what was missing from your file, I knew what the Marshal told me was a fabrication, but I never imagined…' Ignis whispered, shocked. Everyone knew of the strange troops the Empire favoured, joked about them being empty….except apparently they weren't. They started out as babies and then were slowly stripped of their humanity in labs and training. That Prompto was seemingly normal, happy….that he could interact with people…it was a miracle and just showed how strong he was. 'I cannot imagine the horrors you have gone through…and then the attack…you are one of the strongest people I know,' he told him, and he felt the boy sag between them, shoulders hitching with the attempt not to cry.

,

Noctis rubbed his cheek against Prompto's shirt, wishing he wasn't wearing it. 'Iggy's right,' he agreed. He did wonder if this explained the unknown result in his tests. 'It doesn't matter where you were born or why. You're Prompto Argentum, Crown Citizen and my best friend.' Feeling skin give way to cold metal had been a shock and he'd been glad Prompto couldn't see his face for a few seconds since he knew that had shown, that and fear. He'd wondered just how much metal there was and was relieved it was just whatever was in his arm. He let go, sinking back down, as Prompto pulled away from them, wiping at his eyes. He hated being stuck in the water, wanting to be out there where he could really give the blond a proper hug.

Prompto looked at him and obviously saw what he wanted. 'No way dude, you are not hurting yourself for me,' he warned shakily. That got a chuckle from Ignis and Noctis rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. Prompto looked between them and then at the pool and Noctis straightened a bit…surely he wouldn't be willing so quickly? 'How deep is it?'

'This bit's pretty deep. There's a shallower section across the room with a shelf for sitting,' Noctis answered, working to keep the hope from his voice even as Ignis' eyes widened slightly behind his glasses.

,

Hearing there was a shallower section he came to a decision. Noctis had taken his secret so much better than he had the whole mer thing and he hated himself for it. Noctis couldn't come out of the water but there was no reason he couldn't go in, right?

'Prompto, no one expects you to be comfortable with this so quickly,' Ignis offered and he managed to grin at the Adviser.

Maybe not…but he'd never forgive himself. 'I didn't pack my swimsuit though.'

Noctis offered a shy smile at that and pointed over to the doors. 'There should be some regulation ones that'll fit you…if you're sure?'

'I can swim, hydrotherapy was part of getting use of my arms and legs back. And you wouldn't let me drown anyway.'

'Never,' Noctis swore seriously, staring him in the eye, and maybe it was insane, but he believed him.

'Very well, I shall find you a pair,' Ignis got up and Prompto followed him to the massive changing room. 'You don't have to do this. You have been through a massive shock today.'

'I know,' Prompto whispered before yanking his shirt over his head, not like Ignis and Noctis hadn't seen his scars already. He caught the glance at his arm and held it out to him. 'You can touch it,' he offered and Ignis glanced at his face before reaching out to gently probe at the sight, eyes widening as the skin gave way to reveal the metal port.

'I assume it's water proof?'

'Yeah, wouldn't work if we got electrocuted in the showers or something,' he managed a small smile and Ignis nodded, handing over a pair of black shorts. Prompto stepped into a stall and quickly changed, putting his things in a locker that Ignis opened for him. He then led him to another section, and they found Noctis already there, obviously sitting on the ledge. Prompto looked down to see where it was and took a deep breath before stepping down onto it, slipping down further the sit on it.

The water was cool, but it felt nice. He glanced at Noctis and then shifted slightly so they were side by side, feeling scales against his leg, it was different but not scary. A hand brushed his and he took it, glancing over to see a small, happy smile on Noct's face. They sat like that for a while before Noctis let go and lifted his arm, moving it behind Prompto and he leant against Noctis, letting him wrap his arm around him. Yeah, there was still a little bit of his brain screaming at him that he was going to be pulled under and drowned or eaten, especially with the coolness of Noct's skin on his, but he could ignore it. He let his head rest on Noct's shoulder and felt Noctis tip his head to rest against his. For a second he could have sworn he felt him kiss the top of his head, but that was silly, right?

'Thank you,' the words were barely audible, but he still heard them, and he reached across Noct's body to take his free hand and pull it so that Noctis wrapped him up in a hug. They settled quietly like that and Ignis retreated to a nearby chair with a smile of relief.

,

Noctis sat on the shelf, feeling utterly content to have Prompto almost curled against him, his arms around the blond. It felt so right, it would only be better if he could feel a tail pressed against his own, if Prompto was his, theirs. He'd really thought for a few moments that he was going to lose his best friend and then to hear the truth about his past… he needed to give Cor something really nice as a thank you for rescuing Prom and bringing him to the city. Hearing how he'd nearly died several times hurt, and he did wonder what else they had done to him. if he hadn't been born…then who were his 'parents', did he get the harpy DNA off them or was that added in the lab with the 'unknown'? Should he tell Prompto what they had found in his tests or was it too soon?

'Hey Noct?' Prom spoke up quietly after a while of just sitting together.

'Yeah?'

'If I don't move soon I'm gonna freeze, water's a little too cool for me to sit too long.'

'Oh, right, guess that means you want to get out,' he started pulling back, knowing he was stuck awhile longer unless Specs got his chair and the blanket. He didn't want to let go, know that Prom knew some of the truth he never wanted to let him leave his side.

'I said I need to move to keep warm,' Prompto offered quietly and Noctis sat up fully, looking at him as he realised what he was saying.

'You mean it?' he asked shakily, this was more than he could have hoped for so soon.

Prompto grinned slightly and Noct could see the slightest hint of uncertainty. 'Well I'm already in here, might as well, been a while since I last swam though.'

'I won't let anything happen,' Noctis promised solemnly. He slowly slipped off the shelf and then offered his hand to Prompto who took it even as he pushed off the shelf as well, legs kicking to keep his head above the surface.

,

Ignis watched in happy surprise as Prompto took Noctis' hand and moved to tread water, the water was a fine temperature for them, but it was a bit cool for a human, especially when just sitting. Those in the Glaive who did not have a mer form still had enough of the magic to not be bothered and so he had forgotten about that. He was once again amazed by Prompto, in the space of barely an hour he'd gone form so terrified he nearly hyperventilated himself into unconsciousness to letting Noctis hold his hand in water too deep for him to stand in. Was that the as of yet uninitiated bond reacting between them? Or did Prompto trust him that much after only months of friendship?

He could feel Noct's happiness, the contentment of having Prompto at his side, and it felt right.

,

Prompto grinned at Noctis and then flipped onto his back to float a little, getting used to the buoyancy of the water before he dunked his head under and then surfaced, shaking his hair out. He didn't say anything about Noct holding his hand the whole time as he got used to being in the water again, it felt nice to know he was right there.

'Trust me?' Noctis asked.

He could hear the slight hesitancy, hating that he'd put it there but unable to have helped his reactions. Everything he'd been taught as a child screamed to say no, the same part of him that longed for a gun, but he'd gotten good at deflecting that part of him, first through a camera and now he would do the opposite of what it wanted. 'Yeah,' he squeezed Noctis' hand. It wasn't like he'd been any safer sitting on the shelf than he would be in the open water after all, or even when he'd been sitting at the edge.

'Take a deep breath,' Noctis told him, so he did and then Noctis was gently tugging him under the surface before they were moving through the water, Noct pulling him along at speeds he would never be able to reach himself.

After a while he tugged at Noct's hand and then they were ascending and he gulped in the air as they surfaced, unable to stop grinning. 'That was awesome!'

,

Noctis was careful not to swim full speed as he pulled Prompto through the water, until he felt him tug at his hand, so he quickly surfaced, watching as Prompto gasped in air…he was grinning!

'That was awesome!'

His words had Noctis laughing, relieved that he wasn't scared by the speed or the risk of drowning if Noctis didn't let go.

'You're fast.'

'That wasn't even full speed,' he boasted, unable to help grinning back, fighting back the desire to kiss him, it was too soon, too fast, Prom didn't know what it would mean.

'Wow,' was all Prompto managed to say. 'You're incredible,' and then he blushed and Noctis felt his own cheeks flush a little at the compliment.

'I'm not the one who looked past all the legends to get in the water with a mer.'

,

Ignis shook his head in amusement at the boys. He did wonder how Prompto would take Gladio and his owns forms as they were far more alien than Noctis'. They would have to work up to that, while Gladio's was the more predatory, it may be the best to reveal next.

They would also need to begin easing him into the parts of their lives they had hidden from him before. he would need to be taught about the true history of the Lucis Caelum line and the war with Niflheim…and the truth of his own mixed heritage. How were they meant to tell him that he carried the blood of one of their worst enemies? Then there was being their Fourth, the fact that the three of them were together, that Prompto was meant to be with them too.

What would they do if Prompto's Harpy DNA ever became active? Would they be able to fight past thousands of years of instinct if it did? Would Prompto be able to hold on to who he was if it did? Harpy's…well their name was rather indicative of what they were like, they were vicious, cruel and violent. And he didn't think that just because they were at war, they acted the same to the humans within the Empire as well. Prompto was nothing like that and the thought of him being twisted into one of them, bright blue eyes turned black, features distorted into something so alien… no, they would not lose him to that.

,

Prompto followed Ignis through the halls, paying a lot more attention now that he was sure Noctis was okay. The Citadel was truly amazing, it felt old but not cold. His hair was damp from the long swim and he felt a little chilly, but it was nothing a hot shower wouldn't take care of. He could have showered in the dressing room, but a group of Glaive had been coming in and it had made him self-conscious so Ignis had bundled him out of there quickly with the promise of a shower in the room he'd be sleeping in. He blinked as they entered an opulent hallway and then Iggy was unlocking a door and ushering him inside what looked like a multi-room apartment. It hit him then where they were when he saw the game consoles. 'This is Noct's.'

'Of course, where else would you stay?' he smiled. 'Guestroom is here, I'll begin dinner, take all the time you wish,' he showed Prompto into a room bigger than the one his parents used when home. 'The bathroom is fully stocked with anything you may need.'

'Thanks Iggy,' he slipped inside and put his bag down on the bench at the foot of the bed. He looked up to find Ignis watching him from the doorway, glasses hiding his eyes. 'Ignis?'

The older man walked back to him and pulled him into a hug, holding him close and he tensed for a second before relaxing, lifting his arms to hug him back. 'Thank you,' he whispered and then he was gone, closing the door after him.

Prompto stared after him before smiling slightly and turning back to his bag. He dug out some clean clothing but left his toiletries in it, going to see what was already in the bathroom, all way better brands than he could ever afford.

He turned the water on as hot as he could stand and stripped off to get in, letting it soak into aching muscles. He was definitely unused to swimming anymore. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander, still trying to get his head around everything. Merpeople were real and his best friend was one of them. how had it been kept from the general populace? Then again, everyone but Noct only transformed in water, that daemon attack had really messed things up for him. Did knowing all of this change anything? He leant against the wall, staring up at the tiles opposite him. The Empire obviously knew because they wouldn't be telling the MT kids bedtime stories. He wondered if that meant the war extended underwater somehow.

He sighed and began scrubbing down, removing the salt from his skin. He hated the Empire and he would not let his childhood training influence his life. No…Noctis, Iggy, even Gladio, they were his friends, human or not. He would not let knowing about their other nature affect that. He did remember Ignis saying he hadn't been born a mer which was interesting, and he wondered if he'd be willing to explain more. That they trusted him enough to have been planning to tell him amazed him. Why tell him though? He would never have suspected a thing if he hadn't seen Noct jump.

They now knew the truth about him too and they hadn't pushed him away. He was an MT, the enemy, the proof literally branded into his skin but they'd hugged him, comforted him. that hadn't helped his stupid emotions any…his friends were highly attracted and wonderful, was it surprising he had a crush on all of them? He could never let them know, he couldn't lose them, not now.

Skin beginning to go red, he got out and dried off before dressing and then heading out to find Iggy in the kitchen, cooking, and he grinned at seeing Noctis sprawled on the couch, hair still a little damp, his legs sprawled limp on the cushions.

,

Noctis looked up at Prompto left the spare room, unable to keep from grinning back at him. He'd been nervous about how he'd react now that he'd had time alone to think but now he felt bad for doubting him. 'Did you try to cook yourself?' he asked, seeing the red tint to his skin and Prompto rolled his eyes, obviously unsure where he was allowed and Noctis patted the couch he was already sprawled on.

He'd managed to change back, though his legs were utterly useless at the moment. Prompto lifted his legs gently and slid under them, as if they were at the blonds home, fingers automatically digging into weak muscles, working out any knots in them and just helping keep them from tightening up. Noctis sighed and relaxed, feeling utterly content, for the first time not having to fight to remain quiet as the near-silent whistling noises came from his throat.

Prompto looked up in surprise and Noctis felt a flash of concern for revealing that even in human form he wasn't really human. Prom pressed into another muscle and he couldn't help the vocal reaction, relieved when Prompto smiled and kept working.

,

Ignis glanced over from the kitchen and smiled softly at the sight of the two on the couch. It was a good sign and he was happy to see them so relaxed after the stressful day they'd had. Hearing the noises from Noctis, Prompto simply continuing to work on his leg muscles, was a relief. He was making Prompto's favourite green curry, figuring he deserved the treat after the day he'd had.

Once sure the boys were fine he slipped away to report to the King in person on what had happened. King Regis' concern for both teens was obvious, as was his relief at how well Prompto had taken it.

Prompto ended up staying the whole weekend at the Citadel before returning home after school on Monday. To keep from overwhelming him, Gladio stayed in Ignis' rooms rather than Noctis'. They would tell him soon, but they wanted to give him time to adjust to knowing what they were.

,

Noctis floated in Ignis' arms, relaxing back against him. It was nice, not having so many secrets with Prompto, it had made things much more relaxed over the last few days. He couldn't wait for the break now, when Prompto could be over all the time and they could begin easing him into the idea of the bond and what it meant for them.

Clawed hands skimmed down his body and he shivered in reaction; sensation was so much better in the water. It also meant he could fully participate in anything they did since when he couldn't use his legs, it was from the injury site down which made him rather useless in bed. He felt movement in the water and opened his eyes, seeing Gladio swimming towards them with a predatory grin and Noctis relaxed fully, letting them do as they pleased with him, letting go of all his worries.

,

Prompto got up and groaned, feeling his whole body ache. Great, just what he needed. With the temperature dropping he had been expecting it though. He staggered into the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as he could stand it, getting in to let the water pound into his spine. He glanced at his bed, so tempted to just crawl back in but he forced himself to dress and grab his bag, having a quick breakfast, with painkillers, before leaving, walking slower than usual.

,

Noctis grinned in relief when he spotted Prompto, he'd been starting to wonder if he was coming, usually he beat Noctis to school. But then he frowned when he saw how the blond was almost shuffling, back hunched a bit. He quickly wheeled himself closer. 'Are you okay?' he asked in alarm, grabbing Prompto's bag before he could argue.

He managed a slightly pained grin. 'I'll be okay. It's just the cold.'

Noctis frowned before realising what he meant, pulling out his phone to text Specs.

,

Ignis glanced down and frowned at the message.

'What's up Iggy?'

'Message from Noctis, asking to be picked up with Prompto.'

'Now?' Gladio shook his head as Ignis pocketed his phone.

'Now,' he agreed, beginning to walk towards the garage.

'Don't they have class?'

'Of course they do, however today is the first really cold day of the season.'

Gladio frowned at him in confusion, what did the weather have to do with them wanting to skip and why was Ignis going along with it? 'I don't get it?'

'One of the very few side effects from Prompto's attack is triggered by cold weather.'

'Ah,' and Noctis hated seeing those he cared about in pain, then again they all did. He got in the car as well, if Prompto was in that much pain they may need his help. He didn't get enough time with the younger male; he was kept pretty busy with the Guard but he wanted to get to know him better. Noctis was insistent he was their fourth which meant he really did need to make more of an effort, he liked Prompto, a lot, but it wasn't love yet. The kid had not had an easy life and was working on top of school which also limited the time he had free to spend with any of them. He'd taken the truth about them pretty well too, despite Noct scaring him half to death with his leap into the canals.

They arrived at the school to find the two younger males waiting for them, Prompto leaning awkwardly against a wall, his schoolbag hanging from Noct's chair with the Princes' own. They both got out and approached, Gladio moving to the blonds side. 'How bad?' he asked gently, he knew the kid found him a bit intimidating and yeah, he hadn't been sure of him at the beginning, but the kid had proven himself in how protective he was of Noctis, how much he helped him.

'I'm fine,' was the muttered answer.

'Yeah, I hear that a lot,' Gladio snorted. He decided to save time and placed a bracing hand against where he knew the old wound was and then slid the other under Prompto's knees, lifting him easily. 'You are way too skinny,' he muttered even as the kid squawked and tried to argue. He caught Noctis smothering a laugh as they made their way to the car.

Gladio slid Prompto into the backseat and Noctis quickly joined him, reaching over to squeeze Prompto's hand. 'Let Gladio carry you Prom.'

'Have you taken anything Prompto?' Ignis asked as he drove.

'With breakfast,' he answered.

'Shall I call one of the Citadel on-call therapists?'

'I'm okay,' he tried to argue, shifting slightly on the seat.

They pulled into the garage and Prompto rolled his eyes, almost sulking, but he didn't try to get away as Gladio lifted him from the car, Ignis pushing Noctis's chair for extra speed. They didn't want to embarrass Prompto by having too many people see him. If Noctis was having a good day they could have simply let Prompto use the chair.

'What has happened?'

Prompto groaned and buried his face against Gladio's shirt as the King, Gladio's Dad, and Cor approached down the hall.

'It's okay Dad,' Noctis answered.

'Bad day kid?' Cor asked, moving to ruffle blond locks and Prompto looked up, the three men seeing the signs of pain. He reached out and took Prompto from Gladio, gently rubbing his back with one hand. 'Gym pool is heated; the hot water will help. Regis?'

'Go,' Regis smiled at the boy. 'I hope you feel better soon Prompto.' With that the two men were gone.

Cor carried Prompto to the gym, the others following. He helped Prompto into a pair of swimming shorts and then into the heated pool.

Prompto hissed in pain but then slowly relaxed. He looked up to find all four watching as he let the heat soak in and begin relieving the pain caused by the cold. 'What?' he looked up at them, feeling sleepy thanks to the meds and his body starting to relax.

'How can you stand that?' Gladio asked and Cor chuckled.

'Mers don't like hot water,' he admitted and Prompto blinked.

'It's nicely warm, not hot,' he clarified and then his eyes widened as he stared at Cor who nodded. 'Oh…so are you…'

'Yes, or I'd be in there helping you,' Cor promised.

'I will set up the massage table for once you're out,' Ignis told him, going to get what he would need even as Noctis shifted from his chair to sit beside the standard swimming pool, though it was also saltwater rather than chlorine.

'Just don't fall asleep in there and drown,' Gladio warned. 'I don't want to have to dive in that after you.' An hour later he was helping Prompto out where he dried off and then lay out in the table and Ignis went to work, being careful of the still tense muscles around the scars.

Once Ignis was done Cor got Prompto down on a mat to do his stretches and exercises to keep from cramping up, before Prompto fell asleep.

'Is it always that bad?' Noctis asked from where he'd moved to sit by Prompto, running his fingers through still slightly damp hair.

'That's the worst I've seen it since he came off the walking stick,' Cor admitted softly. 'He used to love winter before.'

'Guess I'm lucky I don't get pain like that from the cold.'

'I'll call him out sick from school for tomorrow at least,' Cor told them. 'Let him soak as much as he wants but makes sure he stays hydrated and eats at some point.'

Ignis nodded, hydration was no issue for them when in water, but he remembered when he had been human, that staying in water for a long time, especially warm water, would cause him to need water.

,

Gladio walked into the pool area, grinning as he watched Prompto trying to dodge the splashing Noctis, the blond spluttering at the salt water. He nodded at where Ignis was lounging, keeping an eye on the boys. It was good to see no signs of pain on the kids face as they played. None of them liked his reaction to the cold so Ignis had bought him an electric blanket and Noctis had managed to sneakily pay his heating bills, ensuring he could keep his house at a warmer temperature. Gladio had begun running with him when he could, helping him with his exercises as well, he did the same for Noctis so it was no trouble. In fact, they had both boys working together when they could to save time. Now it was time for him to be introduced to another mer, and yes, they had asked Prompto this time and he had agreed. He caught the blonds eye as he approached, bare foot and chested already. 'Having fun?' he smirked and Prompto clung to the edge, looking half drowned.

'Water fights with Noctis suck!'

'Well what do you expect?' he laughed and Noctis pouted.

'Hey, you're worse,' the Prince argued. He swam over to be beside Prompto, a steadying presence and ready to push Prompto out of the water if he freaked or anything.

'Ready for me?' Gladio asked and Prompto nodded, watching curiously. He grinned and then dove in, pants vanishing at the last second as he hit the water.

,

Prompto watched Gladio dive in, amazed by the way his clothing vanished magically, literally. He was a bit nervous since he remembered being told that Gladio and Ignis were more predatory and stranger than Noctis', but that didn't change who they were. He knew Gladio and he wouldn't hurt him, in either form.

Gladio surfaced, keeping his distance and Prompto looked him over. The first thing he noticed was that Gladio's ears still looked normal, then he spotted the closed gills. He didn't have scales like Noct did but…his skin was tinted blue. He let his eyes look below the water line, seeing an elongated tail and the end of it…was flipped sideways compared to Noctis'… caudal fin. He'd started looking at pictures of marine animals, learning what everything was. There were two fins at the top of the tail area, one either side of his body, two sets of much smaller ones further down his body, one set close to the caudal. The two higher ones were pectoral fins, the lower… pelvic fins and…so he had some more studying to go. Gladio turned to let him see everything, showing of the brilliant blue colour of the top side of his tail and spreading up over his back, and he had a dorsal fin…a very familiar shape from a lot of movies… 'Shark?' he asked and Gladio smirked.

'You're learning.'

'Well that fin shape's kinda distinctive.'

'And you have a thing for scary movies,' Noctis added for him, an arm wrapping around his waist and Prompto relaxed, knowing Noct could hold him above the surface with just one arm.

Gladio laughed at that, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. 'Scared blondie?' he asked, teasing and Prompto found himself grinning back.

'I'd taste horrible,' he offered and Gladio laughed again.

,

Gladio swam closer, happy to see the kid didn't tense or show any sign of fear, though Noctis stuck by his side, just in case. Though the arm around his waist was unnecessary, sneaky of him to get the contact they could all feel he craved with the blond, the unformed bonds way of telling Noct to hurry up. Humans had an instinctual fear of sharks, not that he blamed them, he knew the damage he could do, how much a full shark could do. 'Now starts the fun.'

'Fun?' Prompto frowned at his tone.

'Training. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be as at home in the water as on land.'

'What? Why?'

'Because you're our friend and you've been seen with Noctis in public a lot, even if not officially. If something happens while you are with us, you need to be able to get to safety.'

Prompto grimaced but nodded slowly. 'Okay, what do I do?'

,

Noctis swam over to where Ignis was lounging in a chair, both watching as Gladio spoke with Prompto before beginning to work with him. 'He didn't even flinch,' he offered, proud of how far Prompto had come.

'Indeed, he is adapting very well to everything,' Ignis offered a small smile.

'But you're still worried he'll freak over seeing you,' Noctis pulled himself up and out of the water, changing back, pants appearing for Prompto's sake if he looked over. Casual nudity wasn't an issue for them, but he knew Prompto was body shy, it showed how much he trusted them that he didn't wear a shirt in the water and would strip down to underwear for Ignis to work on his back.

'We need to begin teaching him about the different social norms and behaviours, though he has noticed us all being more physical with him and has accepted it.'

'Yeah…he doesn't just accept it Specs.'

'He wants it. Have you met his parents yet?' he asked as if changing the subject and Noctis shook his head.

'I don't think they've been home once since the beginning of the school year,' he admitted softly. 'You think he's…touch starved?' It took him a second to think up the right term and Ignis nodded. Humans needed contact, not as much as them, but they still needed it and it looked like Prom might only be getting it from them. 'I'm worried,' he whispered and Ignis looked at him.

'Why?'

'His test results and that stupid unknown that showed up. What if the magic doesn't take…or worse?'

'There is nothing we can do Noctis but believe that he will be strong enough when the time comes,' Ignis offered and he nodded, unable to help worrying about it.

'We need to speak with him soon about our relationships. If you are that concerned about how he will react to the magic then perhaps if he is already in a relationship with us, it will give him the strength necessary should something go wrong.'

Noctis nodded, it made sense…but without the bond and his own mer instincts, would Prompto be able to accept that as well?

TBC…