A Prince's Friend is Hard Work

[chocobosnap]

 Prompto was nervous.

That was not the least bit unusual in itself, he had some terrible anxieties that made his life complicated and challenging all at once, all the time, but he'd had a handle on things, at least, he thought so. 

He received a letter and turned his world upside down.

All of that hard work had come to fruition and he was now a new friend to the prince, someone he got along with a lot better than he used to. He'd seen and met some of his retainers, some of the people around him. They all seemed nice, if wary, and huge. 

Prompto had never been tall, and he was slightly shorter than Noct who seemed short beside his bodyguard Gladio. He was kind of hoping he'd get bigger, but he doubted it. 

The longer he spent with Noctis, they'd begun asking him questions about his skills in self-defense, because there could be danger inadvertently. Ignis had been the one to deliver the message that he should learn, and asked him to report to the Citadel one Sunday morning to meet with Cor Leonis - The Marshal - who was going to test him, or teach him, or something. 

He was on time, had been escorted to the gym and, dressed in his gym clothes, he was waiting nervously, pressed against a wall to avoid any looks from any of the Glaives around. He couldn't have looked more out of place if he tried, with his black track pants and dark purple t-shirt with a frolicking cartoon chocobo on it. 

Comments

[chocobosnap]

"Oh, I'm fine." He answered with a smile, that was always his answer, even when he was practically dying from appendicitis.

Prompto didn't want to seem like he was anxious, but he was. He hated having those kinds of conversations like he'd been neglecting his house caring duties, or asking for more money, but to be fair he couldn't work while in the hospital. His dad was really disappointed in him.

"Nah, nothing too exciting to see. I have a lot of pictures, that's all!"

[immortalmarshal]

For a brief moment, Cor is torn between hugging him and shaking the lad. Instead, he simply put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Prompto..you don't have to pretend around me. I'm not gonna judge you for not being fully alright."

He then gestured to the bags of ready-to-eat meals. "We can talk about it while we eat. Maybe even with a couple of your yellow friends nearby?" There's some slight teasing on the last part - no different than how Gladio might tease Prompto or Noctis at times.

[chocobosnap]

"Oh...well I mean..." He ran his hand through his hair. "I'm not too bad just...frustrated I guess. Talking to my parents when we're arguing isn't that fun."

Prompto did follow him and he laughed. "They're guarding my bed from intruders!"

[immortalmarshal]

"Your mother alone was frustrating enough to just get her consent," Cor grumbles in agreement. "I'm sorry you had to deal with both before." It doesn't take him long to fish out a couple of boxes for them.

Though that last response draws a small chuckle. "Good idea; pissing off the whole flock of those overgrown birds is never wise."

[chocobosnap]

"Well I have to talk to them, you know? Talk about money and stuff." He flushed. "I didn't really work this month."

"I know, chocobos are amazing. And they're going to protect me, of course."

Prompto sat at the small table, pulling out utensils before he did. "Hey, if you want anything to drink, I think I have water."

[immortalmarshal]

"If you need help, there's no shame in asking from a friend." And knowing Noctis, asking may not even be necessary when it comes to those close to him. Cor knows that Noct would do just about anything for a friend.

...and so would Cor...

"Speaking of work...you mentioned that you wanted to join the Crownsguard someday."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh I can't ask Noct for anything. I don't want him thinking I'm trying to get something."

Prompto shuffled. "I promised Iggy when we became friends that I'd never do it."

As the topic shifted, he smiled brighter. "Yes! I m-mean, if Noct wants me to, I've been thinking lately that I could do it? I mean, maybe. I know it would be really hard and just..yeah."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor goes thru a series od emotions, and settles on an exasperated face-palm. He gets why, logically, but Promtpo has more than proven himself to be a good friend by now, and not some kind of gold digger. He makes a mental note to have a Talk with Ignis at some point.

"...I get that he was trying to protect Noctis back then, but this isn't what he meant by 'asking for things'."

Sighing, he settles down on the other side of the table. "But it is a good choice for you, from my perspective. You're loyal, and you've been doing alright in your training. You still have a long way to go, of course, but I can help you there." Cor doesn't doubt that Noctis will ask him to join at some point. A best friend can make a better bodyguard, sometimes, than a hundred hired guards.

[chocobosnap]

"Well y-yeah maybe, but I don't want to bother him. And I don't need...anything really, usually. I manage okay."

Prompto truly believed everything was fine, as it was intended.

"You...really think so?" He looked shyly at Cor, surprised and pleased, flushing red. "I just think I'd like to help him, and I don't know how else I could."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor, however, knows that he's not okay. He shouldn't be living alone when he's still recovering from surgery. He should have his parents arrange for someone to keep an eye on him until either of them could come home and take care of him themselves...

"...there's a difference been wanting to bother them and truly needing help. It can be hard to tell the difference sometimes; a good friend can usually tell it for you, and step in when you truly need help." If Cor sounds like he's speaking from experience...well, he is.

"That kind of mindset is the first step in becoming a good Crownsguard," Cor points out, gesturing with his fork in-between bites. "And I can help by making you my official apprentice. It's something that's not commonly broadcasted during their recruitment drives, but it is an official process to help you get in the door a little early, if you want."

Cor doesn't mention the fact that he's only had one official apprentice in the last ten years - Gladio. And that's strictly because he promised Clarus to do so.

[chocobosnap]

"...Yeah." Nocits hadn't wanted him to go home, but he insisted. There would never be anyone to 'check in on him'. If his parents had friends, they too were in Accordo, where Prompto was not. He suspected his parents didn't want their colleagues to know he existed. They were deeply ashamed of him, and his heritage. He used to want to please them, but some time ago, he realized that just wouldn't be possible.

It was awkward.

"You'd do that?" He couldn't help but look at Cor like he was the one who hung the stars in the sky.

"I mean yes! I mean..I'd be really honoured. I'd try so hard!"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor, however, is so used to spiting the high and mighty by exceeding expectations that this is just part of who Cor is. It's the one silly habit of his teenhood that he never fully outgrew; if it will drive those old rich bastards (and Prom's parents) insane, he will train Prompto to be the next best Crownsguard for Noctis' sake. And for Prom's sake, too.

Kid deserves so much more than neglectful, racist parents...at least, in Cor's mind.

That look in Prompto's eyes, though...it reminds him of how Gladio used to look up to him so much when the latter was younger. And it brings a little soft smile to his face. "Good. As soon as you turn 16, which is the legal age for apprenticeship, we'll talk to Ignis about the necessary paperwork to be filed."

[chocobosnap]

"Oh yeah, okay!" He said enthusiastically, that was something he could look forward to.

"In October then. I'll do anything, I really want to succeed."

Prompto was not born with the best lot in life, but he got everything by trying so hard until it worked. It would benefit him when Cor took him on.

[immortalmarshal]

"October, it is. We'll arrange a meeting shortly after your birthday, then." Because he suspects that Noctis would want to celebrate his best friend's birthday with said friend. And that is Fair and Right for friends to do that, based on Cor's own experience.

"So, mind telling me about your favorite places to take photos? You seem to have some really good ones." Time to shift into some small talk while they finish their meal, now that Cor feels that he's got Prom's future secured.

[chocobosnap]

"Well, any pictures from Noct's balcony are good, with all the different phases of the sun, great lighting. And I like the outside of the Citadel because it's so pretty, and a lot of mine are taking from where I run in the park."

Prompto was practically glowing, he enjoyed photography a great deal, and loved to talk Noctis' ear off about it. It was telling, perhaps, that Noctis was so patient.

[immortalmarshal]

Very telling, yes; and a good sign that Noctis has some form of patience. One needs that in a good leader, in Cor's mind. Still, he's happy to listen and let Prompto rave on about his favorite spots.

Though there is one part he did speak up on: "Pretty sure Noct picked the balcony because it gets so much sun. And you know how cats are about sunbeams." Teasing their prince, presuming that he's part cat? Surely, there's nothing wrong with loyal subjects gossiping like this.

[chocobosnap]

The comment caught Prompto off guard and he had to stifle a bright giggle. It was rather loud, but his first instinct was to clamp down on it so he didn't disturb anyone else in the house.

Not that there was anyone there, at the moment.

"He is kinda cat-like. He also doesn't like most people. And he likes to be alone, unless he feels like hanging out." His words were all fond however.

[immortalmarshal]

"Yes, well, some cats are like that sometimes," Cor agrees just as fondly. "Not that it's a bad thing; I certainly wouldn't expect him to become a social butterfly overnight..."

It's nice, really, to just spend an hour or so discussing good things like Noctis and cats and photos. Cor hadn't been this relaxed around a domestic setting in a long time, so it's almost...familial.

Eventually, though, Cor does move to help clean up once they're done eating. "Do you need anything before I leave? Like, any studying tips? Was never good with math, but I'm pretty good about most history lessons..." Thank the Six Regis filled his ear about that during the years together.

[chocobosnap]

It was a bit disappointing that he was going to be left alone again, but he just smiled and shook his head. "Nah, I'm used to studying by now. I do okay. I'm like super smart or anything but...yeah, passable."

Prompto just smiled as he escorted Cor to the door and wished him a good day.

It was a brilliant hour, one he'd enjoyed and would remember for a very long time.

His father came home a few weeks later, and Prompto's whole schedule was thrown off. He was late to early morning training on Saturday, and he ran in, five minutes late before he leaned over right hand on his knee as he caught his breath.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Prompto raised his head, his lip was swollen and split, like he'd been picked on, or something and he was favouring his right hand - his left arm was kept close to his body, an instinctual sign that something was wrong with it.

"I'll do so many extra laps!"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor got word from Monika that Prompto's father had passed thru the gates into Insomnia, as he had requested before. He was planning on taking Prompto home after their training session so that he could have a nice, long chat with the other adult male about the young man's future. Among other, equally important things.

But all of that's put on hold because Prompto's late. Thankfully, his sharp eyes notices the split lip and hurt left hand before he could start scolding him on his lateness. "What happened?" He walks over to the younger man to get a better look of those injuries, a deeply concerned look on his face. Deep inside, though, that familiar fire of righteous fury is already sparking.

Someone had dared harm Prompto...and Cor's already thinking about ways to make them pay.

[chocobosnap]

"It was totally crazy! I was running here, because I was late right, but I saw a dog and you know how dogs are they're just so totally cute and I wasn't paying attention so I slipped off the curb, and fell a bit, but I'm totally fine! Stupid of me right?"

He did not hesitate, it was the kind of lie he could tell - and prior to that one would have thought lies were beyond him.

[immortalmarshal]

If Cor didn't know Prompto well enough by now, he might've bought it. But he does, so he's gently grabbing that hand to tenderly move it, testing his range of mobility with its fingers to see if there's any broken bones.

"This isn't the kind of injury you get just from falling, Prompto," he points out. "It's normally one would get from a fight. Did someone try to jump you while you were running?" Even though a nagging part of him thinks that he might already know who the prime suspect is...

[chocobosnap]

"No, no one." He shook his head.

"I just...banged my chin or something." He was surprised that Cor was fussing over his hand. He did his best to keep from hissing as his fingers were manipulated.

He did have swelling, and pain right in the middle of his hand as though it had been stepped on, but at least the fingers themselves weren't broken, but it was possible the bones in his palm were.

"I really didn't get into a fight. I promise. I wouldn't hurt someone like that."

[immortalmarshal]

"Your chin would be bruised instead of your lip." Cor's looking more and more Displeased over his findings. Prompto's trying to cover for whoever did this to him...even though the older man can tell by the bruises and actions that this was at least an attack.

And at worse...abuse.

"Your hand is broken." He also gently grabs Prompto's chin to get a better look at that split lip. "We'll need to get you to the medical ward to get it in a cast. And I need to know who did this to you, Prompto."

[chocobosnap]

He licked his lips nervously.

"It's...it's nothing. There's nothing that can be done. I mean it's just an accident right?"

Prompto knew Cor cared about him, at least as much as he did any of his recruits, enough to want to apprentice him. He shouldn't be lying to him but he was. He had to.

The last time he'd said something, they called his parents. His parents told them he was making it up and took him home and made it very clear that telling the truth would result in something far worse. Sure, he might be away from them but they'd give him to someone worse, or cycle him through homes, turn him back over to the Niffs...he remembered every nightmare scenario they imposed upon him after the first time he admitted to someone was asking questions. They'd changed his school back then too, to the same one Noctis attended.

It was probably stupid to be afraid, but he was.