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@prom.argentum | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼
Just now you told me that yours is a friendship first and a duty second. That alone tells me that the trust you have in him is profound - enough to give you the answer to your own question.
Think about the moments you two have shared together, all of the years of time you've both put into each other.
He couldn't hate you and you know that. He is on your side, Prompto. You are his friend first; everything else is second.
Think about the moments you two have shared together, all of the years of time you've both put into each other.
He couldn't hate you and you know that. He is on your side, Prompto. You are his friend first; everything else is second.
right ok i'll
see ya later
[gods, this is so... shitty. prompto's gonna panic all the way until he gets brave enough to push his heavy feet into the safehouse.]
[by the time he does, it'll be pretty late -- into the wee hours of the morning, and when the city that doesn't sleep seems to take a lull in its many activities. prompto decidedly doesn't want to have this talk, but noctis's pleas to stop running away from him (please) and connor's not to subtle threat/encouragement is the only thing running in his veins from keeping him frozen solid far away from his best friend.]
[and so prompto walks in, quietly, and looks around the safehouse. most everyone is asleep--the place settled down--and it takes little to find noctis and ignis. the both of them are at a corner, having taken a few of the beds as their own; but although the older man sleeps off whatever drugs are in his system, noctis sits and appears alert. it's so strange to see it happen... and prompto wonders if he's using his own power to keep himself awake.]
[...prompto takes a seat on one of the beds, across from the two, and keeps quiet for a hot minute before looking up.]
Sorry, I --
[almost pussied out?]
[he sighs and looks down again, a bruise on his cheek blooming from where ardyn retaliated his punch; the shape of a hand closing in around his neck, too.]
Has he been sleeping a while?
[keeping his voice down, he ventures to ask about ignis. it brings him relief to see his face, unmarred, his chest rising in show of deep sleep.]
see ya later
[gods, this is so... shitty. prompto's gonna panic all the way until he gets brave enough to push his heavy feet into the safehouse.]
[by the time he does, it'll be pretty late -- into the wee hours of the morning, and when the city that doesn't sleep seems to take a lull in its many activities. prompto decidedly doesn't want to have this talk, but noctis's pleas to stop running away from him (please) and connor's not to subtle threat/encouragement is the only thing running in his veins from keeping him frozen solid far away from his best friend.]
[and so prompto walks in, quietly, and looks around the safehouse. most everyone is asleep--the place settled down--and it takes little to find noctis and ignis. the both of them are at a corner, having taken a few of the beds as their own; but although the older man sleeps off whatever drugs are in his system, noctis sits and appears alert. it's so strange to see it happen... and prompto wonders if he's using his own power to keep himself awake.]
[...prompto takes a seat on one of the beds, across from the two, and keeps quiet for a hot minute before looking up.]
Sorry, I --
[almost pussied out?]
[he sighs and looks down again, a bruise on his cheek blooming from where ardyn retaliated his punch; the shape of a hand closing in around his neck, too.]
Has he been sleeping a while?
[keeping his voice down, he ventures to ask about ignis. it brings him relief to see his face, unmarred, his chest rising in show of deep sleep.]
Edited 2018-12-19 01:26 (UTC)
[ His eyes are wholly fixed on Ignis just as they have been for the past half an hour, taking the time to see to it that he was at least fed and given water before Noctis had aided in his loss of consciousness. A careful touch to his forehead, an application of his power, and his already tapped-out adviser was quick to succumb to his own need for rest.
Which leaves Noctis to think.
Think about his talk with Prompto, think about what new burdens Ardyn had placed upon him, think about everything. How they're trapped here. What they've been through back home. What he's done, what he should do -- the importance of being a friend and a brother, the importance of being a leader and a ruler. But... he's still missing pieces of the puzzle, and the person who holds at least a few of them walks in with his head down. Noctis knows he's not much more eager for this than he is. ]
Yeah. He won't get up any time soon. [ His voice sounds tired in a way that isn't physical, but even a second after Prompto sits he's standing. ]
We should leave him to it, still. [ Eyes narrow as he hones in on the bruises, swallowing thickly. ] ... okay?
Which leaves Noctis to think.
Think about his talk with Prompto, think about what new burdens Ardyn had placed upon him, think about everything. How they're trapped here. What they've been through back home. What he's done, what he should do -- the importance of being a friend and a brother, the importance of being a leader and a ruler. But... he's still missing pieces of the puzzle, and the person who holds at least a few of them walks in with his head down. Noctis knows he's not much more eager for this than he is. ]
Yeah. He won't get up any time soon. [ His voice sounds tired in a way that isn't physical, but even a second after Prompto sits he's standing. ]
We should leave him to it, still. [ Eyes narrow as he hones in on the bruises, swallowing thickly. ] ... okay?
Right-o.
[he says, eyes still fixed on ignis's face. it's -- so strange. like being displaced. a different reality versus his own. he wonders if they're all from different parallel worlds, or if it doesn't work like that? the physics and laws of this universe are so beyond his understanding, and he's starting to wonder if the astrals can hear their prayers at all.]
[it takes him a moment, though, before he's standing, too, helping himself up by putting hands to his knees and pushing.]
I found the fire escape to the supermarket. Wanna head up there?
[reminiscent, perhaps, of a conversation they had what feels ages ago, atop a motel on the side of the road.]
[he says, eyes still fixed on ignis's face. it's -- so strange. like being displaced. a different reality versus his own. he wonders if they're all from different parallel worlds, or if it doesn't work like that? the physics and laws of this universe are so beyond his understanding, and he's starting to wonder if the astrals can hear their prayers at all.]
[it takes him a moment, though, before he's standing, too, helping himself up by putting hands to his knees and pushing.]
I found the fire escape to the supermarket. Wanna head up there?
[reminiscent, perhaps, of a conversation they had what feels ages ago, atop a motel on the side of the road.]
[ It's hard for his own eyes to leave Ignis, as hard as it is for them to leave Prompto once they change their focus. His concern's obvious for both of them in spite of worse experiences together, well aware that Ignis has suffered more debilitating poisons or fits of confusion and Prompto has gotten more serious bruises. Even still, it's hard to shake right now. ]
Ah... yeah, sounds good. [ So he trails after him as Prompto leads the way, navigating the hallways, rooms, and a short stairwell in silence that doesn't suit them. It's only when they hit muggy, hot air that he's willing to speak up. ]
... how much don't I know that you do?
Ah... yeah, sounds good. [ So he trails after him as Prompto leads the way, navigating the hallways, rooms, and a short stairwell in silence that doesn't suit them. It's only when they hit muggy, hot air that he's willing to speak up. ]
... how much don't I know that you do?
[the muggy air has become the new norm, a lot like lestallum during the day. prompto embraces it as much as he's embraced sleeping without blankets or on the floor to keep cool. and yet it manages to make things so much more uncomfortable -- this silence between them.]
[his reply is calm even if his hands shake so much he has to actually shove them inside his pockets.]
Enough for it to be alarming.
[is what he manages, but it's neither telling nor saying nothing. he walks towards the back of the abandoned supermarket, kicks at the broken fence, and makes his way through before walking the short distance towards the forgotten ladder, sitting pretty. it looks like it might give way, but prompto's confident it'll hold.]
[he holds onto a bar, pulling himself up, fully aware that he's leading them both to a location where he can't run away from saying his peace.]
[at the top, he waits to see if noctis needs help the last couple of steps. his mouth feels dry and his tongue heavy, though, and it's like the words don't want to come out--since so many want to come out.]
Sorry. [it's a good place to start] I've... been a pretty shitty friend about all this.
[his reply is calm even if his hands shake so much he has to actually shove them inside his pockets.]
Enough for it to be alarming.
[is what he manages, but it's neither telling nor saying nothing. he walks towards the back of the abandoned supermarket, kicks at the broken fence, and makes his way through before walking the short distance towards the forgotten ladder, sitting pretty. it looks like it might give way, but prompto's confident it'll hold.]
[he holds onto a bar, pulling himself up, fully aware that he's leading them both to a location where he can't run away from saying his peace.]
[at the top, he waits to see if noctis needs help the last couple of steps. his mouth feels dry and his tongue heavy, though, and it's like the words don't want to come out--since so many want to come out.]
Sorry. [it's a good place to start] I've... been a pretty shitty friend about all this.
[ The shudder in those fingers doesn't go by unnoticed but Noctis is kind enough not to comment, brow furrowing instead as Prompto answers but then keeps moving. This is far enough, he wants to say, half-tempted to stay close to Ignis solely because of how recently he's dealt with Ardyn, but... if they're continuing onward, there's a reason. It's something Prompto needs and he's not about to deny him that, not with how hard this is already going to be.
Climbing the ladder one-handed isn't easy but he manages, palm helping to hoist him up the last rung so that he can stand next to him, equal. ]
... listen, I...
I wasn't trying to snap; it's not like either of us got lessons on how to handle stuff like this. I dunno is there's a "right" way... I just know I want to hear what you have to say.
Need to hear it, maybe.
Climbing the ladder one-handed isn't easy but he manages, palm helping to hoist him up the last rung so that he can stand next to him, equal. ]
... listen, I...
I wasn't trying to snap; it's not like either of us got lessons on how to handle stuff like this. I dunno is there's a "right" way... I just know I want to hear what you have to say.
Need to hear it, maybe.
[noctis is cutting straight to the point, and prompto can't help the nervous smile that flickers onto his expression rather suddenly. it's how he tries to cope with how bad he does not want to do this.]
Let's do this, then.
[he doesn't make it very far from where they climbed, taking a few short steps towards the railing and sitting down on the edge, his back facing the rest of the shiny city (his feet feel like lead, this is as far as he can go).]
Y'might... wanna sit down for it.
[is the only thing he manages, but whether noctis actually does or stays standing, he doesn't know, because he's lowered his face and is keeping his eyes on the bandages he so stubbornly keeps around his right wrist.]
[he cannot tell noctis about altissia; that'd be -- too much. there has to be another way to break the news, and it's something he might not want to do by himself. he's been thinking about how, maybe, he could talk about it with ignis first. the man is a lot more composed about delivering terrible news and, besides, he doesn't have the heart to say any of it out loud to noctis--to noctis, who would ask for a hundred details that prompto isn't privy to.]
...when we got on the train to Tenebrae, I went looking for you cuz I saw this huge snow cloud out in the distance while taking pictures. We'd never seen anything like it. You stood up and then ... you tried to punch me, asking me what the hell I was doing there. [he remembers the fight so clearly, even if it happened a long time ago. he's been replaying it in his head constantly, willingly and not, as part of an amalgamation of nightmares when he sleeps.] You chased me down, slashed your sword at me.
[are you seriously trying to kill me? why wouldn't i? what're you after, following me around, this whole time? it's all your fault--]
[he shakes his head]
That much I've told you. I had Ardyn at gunpoint, on top of the train, but you swung your sword at me instead and I fell. [a shaky breath] I thought if I kept following the tracks I'd make it to Gralea and meet you guys there, even though, I didn't know if you'd... You'd be okay with that-- Niflheim is a frozen tundra, y'know? [he remembers how terrible it felt, to be so cold he lost consciousness, even as he saw the imperial soldiers drop from their ships.]
[he pauses, wanting to preface something before he gets into the real meat of this godsawful thing he found out about in the research facilities.]
All I ever wanted was friends, but no one... ever wanted me back. So when I found people who did want me--you, Gladio, Iggy... I did everything I could to make you stay. And [swallowing] ever since I've lived with one fear, a fear that you'd -- find out who I really was, and you wouldn't want me anymore.
[he squeezes his eyes shut and rubs at his eyes hard with the palm of his hand.]
...but it's even worse than that. So much worse.
[keeping his hand there, he takes another shaky breath and continues]
Imperial soldiers found me and took me into a place that I know now was a Magitek production facility. Verstael Besithia. He -- [an abrupt pause and change of direction.] Ardyn was there. Called it 'home sweet home.' [a humorless laugh as he shrinks some more onto himself] Had to walk through the entire place until I reached a lab. Climbed down the stairs, into a room with -- tubes, people inside, totally out of a horror video game.
[this is as much as he can go without thinking too much about it. his hands are trembling uncontrollably now, and his voice is shaking, as he forces himself to keep on.]
I -- shot Besithia. He looked out of his mind. He... said things, things... things like, I--
[he doesn't know if anything that he's said is making any sense at all, but he's clearly real fucking shaken by it. the words stick to his tongue and he can't make them come out. the real meat of the matter--what really frightens him. he's had to deal with it by himself for all these weeks, it's just so hard.]
I don't wanna say. [he chokes out, quietly]
Let's do this, then.
[he doesn't make it very far from where they climbed, taking a few short steps towards the railing and sitting down on the edge, his back facing the rest of the shiny city (his feet feel like lead, this is as far as he can go).]
Y'might... wanna sit down for it.
[is the only thing he manages, but whether noctis actually does or stays standing, he doesn't know, because he's lowered his face and is keeping his eyes on the bandages he so stubbornly keeps around his right wrist.]
[he cannot tell noctis about altissia; that'd be -- too much. there has to be another way to break the news, and it's something he might not want to do by himself. he's been thinking about how, maybe, he could talk about it with ignis first. the man is a lot more composed about delivering terrible news and, besides, he doesn't have the heart to say any of it out loud to noctis--to noctis, who would ask for a hundred details that prompto isn't privy to.]
...when we got on the train to Tenebrae, I went looking for you cuz I saw this huge snow cloud out in the distance while taking pictures. We'd never seen anything like it. You stood up and then ... you tried to punch me, asking me what the hell I was doing there. [he remembers the fight so clearly, even if it happened a long time ago. he's been replaying it in his head constantly, willingly and not, as part of an amalgamation of nightmares when he sleeps.] You chased me down, slashed your sword at me.
[are you seriously trying to kill me? why wouldn't i? what're you after, following me around, this whole time? it's all your fault--]
[he shakes his head]
That much I've told you. I had Ardyn at gunpoint, on top of the train, but you swung your sword at me instead and I fell. [a shaky breath] I thought if I kept following the tracks I'd make it to Gralea and meet you guys there, even though, I didn't know if you'd... You'd be okay with that-- Niflheim is a frozen tundra, y'know? [he remembers how terrible it felt, to be so cold he lost consciousness, even as he saw the imperial soldiers drop from their ships.]
[he pauses, wanting to preface something before he gets into the real meat of this godsawful thing he found out about in the research facilities.]
All I ever wanted was friends, but no one... ever wanted me back. So when I found people who did want me--you, Gladio, Iggy... I did everything I could to make you stay. And [swallowing] ever since I've lived with one fear, a fear that you'd -- find out who I really was, and you wouldn't want me anymore.
[he squeezes his eyes shut and rubs at his eyes hard with the palm of his hand.]
...but it's even worse than that. So much worse.
[keeping his hand there, he takes another shaky breath and continues]
Imperial soldiers found me and took me into a place that I know now was a Magitek production facility. Verstael Besithia. He -- [an abrupt pause and change of direction.] Ardyn was there. Called it 'home sweet home.' [a humorless laugh as he shrinks some more onto himself] Had to walk through the entire place until I reached a lab. Climbed down the stairs, into a room with -- tubes, people inside, totally out of a horror video game.
[this is as much as he can go without thinking too much about it. his hands are trembling uncontrollably now, and his voice is shaking, as he forces himself to keep on.]
I -- shot Besithia. He looked out of his mind. He... said things, things... things like, I--
[he doesn't know if anything that he's said is making any sense at all, but he's clearly real fucking shaken by it. the words stick to his tongue and he can't make them come out. the real meat of the matter--what really frightens him. he's had to deal with it by himself for all these weeks, it's just so hard.]
I don't wanna say. [he chokes out, quietly]
he threw me off the train
he blamed for all the things that had happened
that i had been following around and making things worse
[years of friendship, of a quiet feeling of belonging blossoming so tenderly in his chest; a feeling torn to shreds in that moment--of being left behind, of the uncertainty that he'd ever get to see the guys again.]
[it had been so, so cold.]
[but isn't that just the thing? that he'd keep on, despite the odds? to see noctis again, one more time, even if it meant never seeing each other again. even if it meant -- being stripped from any sort of worth.]
...we finally got a flat so we don't have to stay at the safehouse so much anymore
i thought.. if i could just pretend nothing had happened
it could be like before
[noctis deserves more than that. it's always been that way: prompto would do anything for noctis's sake.]
idek how to bring it up
he blamed for all the things that had happened
that i had been following around and making things worse
[years of friendship, of a quiet feeling of belonging blossoming so tenderly in his chest; a feeling torn to shreds in that moment--of being left behind, of the uncertainty that he'd ever get to see the guys again.]
[it had been so, so cold.]
[but isn't that just the thing? that he'd keep on, despite the odds? to see noctis again, one more time, even if it meant never seeing each other again. even if it meant -- being stripped from any sort of worth.]
...we finally got a flat so we don't have to stay at the safehouse so much anymore
i thought.. if i could just pretend nothing had happened
it could be like before
[noctis deserves more than that. it's always been that way: prompto would do anything for noctis's sake.]
idek how to bring it up
(a train?
impossible. connor's mind immediately rejects the idea, calling him back to a desperate moment they shared one long month ago. an event that seems like it was yesterday, regrets still lingering despite the reassurances of the people he hurt that it wasn't his fault, he didn't have any control over what he was doing, he never would've made the choice to cause them pain if the infection hadn't taken him over — noctis among them.
noctis, who pinned him to the ground and sacrificed himself for him. all to make him feel better about the situation while shoving his own suffering to the back-burner.
"Not alive? This is alive, you're alive! Why the hell would I care if you're a machine? I-I..."
noctis, who promised him he'd take care of him then and after. who helped him drag his broken body off of the ground while blood beaded off his fingertips onto the dye-drowned floor of a textile warehouse, face wet with tears because he didn't think he could do it. and still did, against every odd.
"I'll protect you. You have my word... okay? You stick around... and I'll keep you safe from now on."
noctis, shoving best friend off of a train? blaming him for all of the problems he has to shoulder? accusing prompto of being a burden?)
That's ludicrous.
You aren't even giving him a chance, huh? Is that what kind of person you are, Prompto? I've only known Noctis for months and can't believe he'd even consider doing such cruel things to you. You've know him for over a decade and can?
He doesn't deserve this.
I'm giving you 24 hours to comply.
impossible. connor's mind immediately rejects the idea, calling him back to a desperate moment they shared one long month ago. an event that seems like it was yesterday, regrets still lingering despite the reassurances of the people he hurt that it wasn't his fault, he didn't have any control over what he was doing, he never would've made the choice to cause them pain if the infection hadn't taken him over — noctis among them.
noctis, who pinned him to the ground and sacrificed himself for him. all to make him feel better about the situation while shoving his own suffering to the back-burner.
"Not alive? This is alive, you're alive! Why the hell would I care if you're a machine? I-I..."
noctis, who promised him he'd take care of him then and after. who helped him drag his broken body off of the ground while blood beaded off his fingertips onto the dye-drowned floor of a textile warehouse, face wet with tears because he didn't think he could do it. and still did, against every odd.
"I'll protect you. You have my word... okay? You stick around... and I'll keep you safe from now on."
noctis, shoving best friend off of a train? blaming him for all of the problems he has to shoulder? accusing prompto of being a burden?)
That's ludicrous.
You aren't even giving him a chance, huh? Is that what kind of person you are, Prompto? I've only known Noctis for months and can't believe he'd even consider doing such cruel things to you. You've know him for over a decade and can?
He doesn't deserve this.
I'm giving you 24 hours to comply.
Edited 2018-12-19 21:58 (UTC)
[he doesn't like the way connor is talking to him.]
[there's something hot and cold about it, which he can't quite... place his finger on. the way he seems to boast about such a recent acquaintance and pushes prompto down like his own feelings matter very little in the grand scheme of things.]
five years and some change not a decade
[because prompto doesn't consider actually knowing noctis until their fifteenth birthday. and, besides, whatever he can grasp in order to feel like connor isn't correct in everything.]
you're
[prompto wants to say so much but doesn't find the words to spell anything out]
nvm
[there's something hot and cold about it, which he can't quite... place his finger on. the way he seems to boast about such a recent acquaintance and pushes prompto down like his own feelings matter very little in the grand scheme of things.]
five years and some change not a decade
[because prompto doesn't consider actually knowing noctis until their fifteenth birthday. and, besides, whatever he can grasp in order to feel like connor isn't correct in everything.]
you're
[prompto wants to say so much but doesn't find the words to spell anything out]
nvm
Five years, thank you for clarifying. That's five years you've spent trusting one another, only for that to suddenly hit a wall because you can't accept what you are - something that's in no way his fault. He'll sit through this odd form of punishment for you, though, because that's who he is.
I'm am sorry, Prompto. I understand how difficult it is to face yourself at your ugliest, but you can't keep him waiting over something that you'll struggle with for years. Do you understand?
It's not fair.
I'm am sorry, Prompto. I understand how difficult it is to face yourself at your ugliest, but you can't keep him waiting over something that you'll struggle with for years. Do you understand?
It's not fair.
[connor doesn't understand that the burden is not just of his own reckoning, of accepting who he is. but, at the same time, prompto hasn't shared that it entails the death of a beloved friend and the permanent injury of someone who is like a brother to noctis. there is truth in these words, but something feels off.]
alright i get it already
[it's not giving him a chance to -- bear with his own misery (which is probably for the best), but it also feels invasive, somehow. connor's words are not unkind, but they're not kind, either, towards prompto's own issues.]
[but he gets it, and maybe that's enough.]
alright i get it already
[it's not giving him a chance to -- bear with his own misery (which is probably for the best), but it also feels invasive, somehow. connor's words are not unkind, but they're not kind, either, towards prompto's own issues.]
[but he gets it, and maybe that's enough.]
[ Noctis takes a moment or two to decide to take Prompto up on his offer to sit, unsure of what could possibly be coming after what he'd heard earlier from Ardyn. Is it something related? Would Prompto think that Noctis would judge him for keeping it secret?
No, it seems like more than that, something far more personal and his mind can't work to even supply a hint any longer.
He eases himself down, back against the adjacent wall with enough distance left between them to hopefully keep his friend comfortable. He can't remember ever having seen Prompto so rattled before and it tugs at his chest painfully, wanting to tell him that it's okay to keep lying if it'll ease this discomfort but they both know that's not the case.
It'll only get worse now that it's partly in the open.
He flinches when Prompto begins with a description of his actions on that train again, jaw locking but he doesn't interrupt in spite of the wave of guilt that might make him want to. The train, the trip into Niflheim... Then he says something that catches his attention, head lifting.
I've lived with one fear, a fear that you'd -- find out who I really was, and you wouldn't want me anymore. ]
Prompto-- [ He bites his tongue quieting again even if he shakes his head. ]
If you shot him then you did what you had to do. It's not the first time one of us has had to do something like that, okay? And whatever the rest is, just... Just tell me, okay? I know you don't want to, but I'm not going anywhere.
I promise... it's gonna' be alright.
No, it seems like more than that, something far more personal and his mind can't work to even supply a hint any longer.
He eases himself down, back against the adjacent wall with enough distance left between them to hopefully keep his friend comfortable. He can't remember ever having seen Prompto so rattled before and it tugs at his chest painfully, wanting to tell him that it's okay to keep lying if it'll ease this discomfort but they both know that's not the case.
It'll only get worse now that it's partly in the open.
He flinches when Prompto begins with a description of his actions on that train again, jaw locking but he doesn't interrupt in spite of the wave of guilt that might make him want to. The train, the trip into Niflheim... Then he says something that catches his attention, head lifting.
I've lived with one fear, a fear that you'd -- find out who I really was, and you wouldn't want me anymore. ]
Prompto-- [ He bites his tongue quieting again even if he shakes his head. ]
If you shot him then you did what you had to do. It's not the first time one of us has had to do something like that, okay? And whatever the rest is, just... Just tell me, okay? I know you don't want to, but I'm not going anywhere.
I promise... it's gonna' be alright.
[just tell me.]
[and prompto wants to. maybe it's something about what connor had said in their text conversation, maybe it's just wanting to be okay about not carrying this huge, dreadful secret within him, or even just the idea that this much is hurting noctis-- but with one shaky sigh, just says it.]
Verstael Besithia created clones of himself to use them as fuel for the MTs.
A child was 'stolen' from the facility--the Magitek production facility--by Lucians. That kid... was me.
[he unwinds his wrist, removing the bandages that he kept tightly rolled around his skin. it reveals his barcode tattoo, intact, despite the fact that there's a blemish -- red and messy across his skin, like that of a burn halfway through healing. he really should have tended to that.]
The doors opened when it scanned this barcode. Unit 05953234. A production code.
[noctis might remember how adamant prompto had always been about keeping his right wrist under a band or otherwise covered. it never saw the light of day.]
...I knew I was adopted, tha-that I wasn't really Lucian. I suspected I was born in Niflheim. I just... never thought I'd just be created. A copy of the man who created the weapon which destroyed our home.
[his heart beats fast, fear mounting as he turns to look at noctis, a surprising look of calm on his features, as if he's ready to accept judgement.]
All the people inside those tubes-- [he nods a bit] they looked just like me. I don't know what any of it means, I shot him, he said I was created to serve him but I don't know if I was supposed to be of any use to the Empire or if I'm clean or if I'm normal but you gotta believe me Noct, I'd never do anything to hurt you or the guys or our home!
[he's turned towards noctis now, a pleading look on his face, tears threatening to fall]
[and prompto wants to. maybe it's something about what connor had said in their text conversation, maybe it's just wanting to be okay about not carrying this huge, dreadful secret within him, or even just the idea that this much is hurting noctis-- but with one shaky sigh, just says it.]
Verstael Besithia created clones of himself to use them as fuel for the MTs.
A child was 'stolen' from the facility--the Magitek production facility--by Lucians. That kid... was me.
[he unwinds his wrist, removing the bandages that he kept tightly rolled around his skin. it reveals his barcode tattoo, intact, despite the fact that there's a blemish -- red and messy across his skin, like that of a burn halfway through healing. he really should have tended to that.]
The doors opened when it scanned this barcode. Unit 05953234. A production code.
[noctis might remember how adamant prompto had always been about keeping his right wrist under a band or otherwise covered. it never saw the light of day.]
...I knew I was adopted, tha-that I wasn't really Lucian. I suspected I was born in Niflheim. I just... never thought I'd just be created. A copy of the man who created the weapon which destroyed our home.
[his heart beats fast, fear mounting as he turns to look at noctis, a surprising look of calm on his features, as if he's ready to accept judgement.]
All the people inside those tubes-- [he nods a bit] they looked just like me. I don't know what any of it means, I shot him, he said I was created to serve him but I don't know if I was supposed to be of any use to the Empire or if I'm clean or if I'm normal but you gotta believe me Noct, I'd never do anything to hurt you or the guys or our home!
[he's turned towards noctis now, a pleading look on his face, tears threatening to fall]
[ There's a moment of silence as Noctis watches his friend and he knows it to be the calm before the storm, so to speak, knows what it looks like when Prompto is steeling himself for something. He sits up straighter, reminding himself to not to speak a word or interrupt him now that he's found his momentum.
And that's harder than he anticipated.
Clones? What sick experiments was he trying to perform? Why-- why did Lucians gain access, how, and why was he never told? Did they know that the MTs were made using humans?
And then the real bombshell hits, and Noctis is sure he can feel his heart beating in his throat as Prompto starts to hurry, tripping over his words in a sheer rush to just get them out and get this burden off of his shoulders. Keeping the eye contact when his best friend suddenly looks over, practically begging him to trust him, is almost more than he can take.
He remembers how he'd tease Prompto for his silly-looking sweat bands, how his friend would buy new ones after each little taunt and wear them even during swimming events on sports days or when he'd come over just to hang out at his apartment. He remembers, and his gaze finally drops. ]
And that's harder than he anticipated.
Clones? What sick experiments was he trying to perform? Why-- why did Lucians gain access, how, and why was he never told? Did they know that the MTs were made using humans?
And then the real bombshell hits, and Noctis is sure he can feel his heart beating in his throat as Prompto starts to hurry, tripping over his words in a sheer rush to just get them out and get this burden off of his shoulders. Keeping the eye contact when his best friend suddenly looks over, practically begging him to trust him, is almost more than he can take.
He remembers how he'd tease Prompto for his silly-looking sweat bands, how his friend would buy new ones after each little taunt and wear them even during swimming events on sports days or when he'd come over just to hang out at his apartment. He remembers, and his gaze finally drops. ]
[ Silence reigns for a few more painful moments as he squeezes his eyes shut, unable to block out Prompto's tortured expression. This secret... Has it been eating at him for this long? For so many years?
His palm braces flat against the rough floor beneath them just so he can ease himself closer, suddenly, knees planting in front of Prompto's with that hand newly hesitating in an extension to his wrist...
before it suddenly deflects to his shoulder, clamping down hard and firm, demanding his attention and focus as he struggles to keep his voice steady. ]
Is that what you were afraid of? That... I wouldn't trust you, or you wouldn't belong with us?
Prompto--
You're Lucian and always have been, no matter where you came from first or how you came to be. What good would I be as a king if I didn't know my own people? I can decide that... and you're one of them.
His palm braces flat against the rough floor beneath them just so he can ease himself closer, suddenly, knees planting in front of Prompto's with that hand newly hesitating in an extension to his wrist...
before it suddenly deflects to his shoulder, clamping down hard and firm, demanding his attention and focus as he struggles to keep his voice steady. ]
Is that what you were afraid of? That... I wouldn't trust you, or you wouldn't belong with us?
Prompto--
You're Lucian and always have been, no matter where you came from first or how you came to be. What good would I be as a king if I didn't know my own people? I can decide that... and you're one of them.
[prompto's eyes are fixed on noctis's face, even before the other clamps his hand onto prompto's shoulder. they widen at the question, expecting something harsh and mean, just a means to push him away properly.]
[but there's no disgust and nothing loathful in noctis's eyes.]
[suddenly, everything's blurry, and he blinks fast, not wanting to miss a beat (as if sight and hearing were connected, somehow), tears rolling down his cheeks. noctis is speaking to him as his king, the person he has vowed to protect with his life.]
[something catches in his throat]
I, uh-- I... I'm... Lucian.
[like a clambering of strings stretching taut of a musical chord; his lips tremble and he closes his mouth into a tight line, nodding, nodding.]
I'm sorry.
[it's obnoxious how physical contact forces an empathetic connection between them, but for once prompto seems to not care--previous chains shackling him back seemingly gone, as he reaches forward and (carefully, noct's still with a sling), puts himself in line to embrace his best friend, his oldest friend, his only friend, at one point.]
I'm sorry I suck I should've known better I should've trusted you...
[but there's no disgust and nothing loathful in noctis's eyes.]
[suddenly, everything's blurry, and he blinks fast, not wanting to miss a beat (as if sight and hearing were connected, somehow), tears rolling down his cheeks. noctis is speaking to him as his king, the person he has vowed to protect with his life.]
[something catches in his throat]
I, uh-- I... I'm... Lucian.
[like a clambering of strings stretching taut of a musical chord; his lips tremble and he closes his mouth into a tight line, nodding, nodding.]
I'm sorry.
[it's obnoxious how physical contact forces an empathetic connection between them, but for once prompto seems to not care--previous chains shackling him back seemingly gone, as he reaches forward and (carefully, noct's still with a sling), puts himself in line to embrace his best friend, his oldest friend, his only friend, at one point.]
I'm sorry I suck I should've known better I should've trusted you...
[ The emotion he's choked back all day is weighing on him beneath that normally perfectly apathetic exterior, often struggling to access more than a dismissive sound even when it grows to be too much for him but now? That shielding facet of his personality has cracked, brow furrowed as he tenses -- but far more importantly, relaxes -- into Prompto's hold.
It's slow but his arms drops, hooking itself over Prompto's shoulders with another gentle squeeze. ]
Ahh, you're always... You just worry about stupid stuff. You're my best friend, Prompto; nothing's gonna' change that. Definitely not Niflheim or any of the rest of it.
...
It isn't your fault.
It's slow but his arms drops, hooking itself over Prompto's shoulders with another gentle squeeze. ]
Ahh, you're always... You just worry about stupid stuff. You're my best friend, Prompto; nothing's gonna' change that. Definitely not Niflheim or any of the rest of it.
...
It isn't your fault.
[certain things don't add up, like why noctis retaliated against him in the train, seemingly out of nowhere. but with the weight of noctis's arms around him and the otherwise trend to push away, prompto thinks he can do without thinking too hard about that one mystery. it might come into place one day, but for now what matters is that noctis knows who he is--what he is, where he comes from, and still pulls him close rather than lash out at him.]
[noctis is a gentle soul, the kindest of all, and all prompto has ever wanted is to be worthy of being at his side. his unknown origins now unfolded and the truth of his reality had made him think he wasn't worthy of such a thing.]
[he presses closer into the embrace, feeling lighter and like he isn't choking on air--which is not entirely a nice thing, since this only means that he's crying a bit more freely now, snot at all.]
[it makes him laugh shakily as he pulls his head up and rests his chin on the other's shoulder. this position is kinda awkward--but he wants to bask in it for a bit longer, selfishly so.]
I'm still sorry I didn't say anything sooner.
[he offers that, then remains quiet for a minute, before pulling back, rubbing at his face and sniffling for good measure.]
I thought... I could've swept it under the rug for as long as you weren't caught up with what had happened. Pretend everything was fine. I didn't stop to think it was hurtin' you, too.
--didn't want it to be your burden. [head bowed, he feels ashamed] But ... guess I messed that up, too.
[biting his lip, he glances up.]
You're my best friend too. You're the best friend I could have ever asked for. I wanna be the best you could have asked for, too.
[this is getting into very lame, sappy territory. but prompto's a #scorpio and this is his life]
[noctis is a gentle soul, the kindest of all, and all prompto has ever wanted is to be worthy of being at his side. his unknown origins now unfolded and the truth of his reality had made him think he wasn't worthy of such a thing.]
[he presses closer into the embrace, feeling lighter and like he isn't choking on air--which is not entirely a nice thing, since this only means that he's crying a bit more freely now, snot at all.]
[it makes him laugh shakily as he pulls his head up and rests his chin on the other's shoulder. this position is kinda awkward--but he wants to bask in it for a bit longer, selfishly so.]
I'm still sorry I didn't say anything sooner.
[he offers that, then remains quiet for a minute, before pulling back, rubbing at his face and sniffling for good measure.]
I thought... I could've swept it under the rug for as long as you weren't caught up with what had happened. Pretend everything was fine. I didn't stop to think it was hurtin' you, too.
--didn't want it to be your burden. [head bowed, he feels ashamed] But ... guess I messed that up, too.
[biting his lip, he glances up.]
You're my best friend too. You're the best friend I could have ever asked for. I wanna be the best you could have asked for, too.
[this is getting into very lame, sappy territory. but prompto's a #scorpio and this is his life]
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