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

[immortalmarshal]

Cor is satisfoed eith how well the move has gone so far - nothing broken, and only a couple of mild arguments between Gladio and Noctis bout some minor issues.

The Marshal smiles as Prompto points to the phot in question. "Yeah, it is - Regis was about 20 when we went on that trip. Clarus is the one right next to him," he adds, pointing to the tall man who could possibly pass as Gladio's older brother.

"Ohmigod," Noct laughs on happy surprise. "He actually had hair back then!"

[chocobosnap]

"Whoa." Prompto had never seen the king that young, obviously since it was before his and Noct's time. Clarus he didn't really know, but he looked a lot like Gladio.

Gladio meandered over and glanced at the picture before nudging Noctis for the comment. "I've seen this before, he's got the same picture."

"Where did you go on a road trip?" Prompto asked, although maybe Cor couldn't answer something like that. It would be okay, his parents weren't the type to answer questions.

[immortalmarshal]

"Of course he does," Cor chuckles in response to Gladio's statement. "He's the one who insisted upon taking pictures at what he believed to be important points along our journey. Though Regis kept most of them..."

There's a fond little smile as he turns to Prompto. "We were on a secret trip to Accordo, trying to forge an alliance against the Empire. The war was raging strongly at the time, and thus King Mors thought it wise to send me along with Regis and his retinue at the time."

The Cor in that picture, though, couldn't look to be older than 15 or 16 however...

[chocobosnap]

"You look so young here." Prompto said, and a lot smaller, which is sort of encouraging. It was possible, maybe, that he'd grow up big and strong like Cor someday. But really, who was he kidding? He was just managing this self defense training.

"That isn't too surprisin'." Gladio offered. "He took a lot of pictures of us growing up. Baby pictures and stuff."

"Really?" Prompto asked him, looking surprised. Was that really a thing?

[immortalmarshal]

"Yeah; I was 15 at the time. Technically, I should've just been starting my training...but I managed to get in a couple of years early." Yes, Cor really got into the Crownsguard at age 13; he won't deny that these days. After all, who's gonna prosecute him after all he's done for crown and country?

"Oh, yeah, Clarus does like to do that - still takes pics of Iris every now and then," Noctis agrees. "I think he's the reason why Dad would sneak some phone pics of me and Ignis when were kids."

Ignis, for his part, is deliberately ignoring the slight flush on his face as he starts to make his way over to the kitchen to prepare some kind of snack for the group.

[chocobosnap]

"Whoa, that's really true? Kinda cool." Prompto said with wide eyes. Cor was an impressive guy, and kind of his idol to begin with. His were bright.

"Oh really? I just have lots of selfies." He gushed slightly. "And lots of pictures of other people's pets."

Gladio snorted. He didn't think much about Prompto's adoptive parents. All parents should be taking pictures of their kids.

[immortalmarshal]

Well, Cor doesn't consider himself to be parent material yet. But the idea of taking at least one photo of Prompto for the records wouldn't hurt. Maybe if-and-when he graduates from Crownsguard training, or when he eventually graduates from high school...

"I wouldn't mind if you wanna hang up your photos around here," Cor remarks casually. "We could always get you some frames if you need it..."

"Yeah, at least it'll help make the place look more lived-in."

"Noctis...!"

[chocobosnap]

"Oh yeah, um sure, if you want? They're not that good. They're just you know, something I do..." He was rambling nervously, as though he wasn't getting there, he kind of was like anyone else who eventually perfects their craft.

"I just had them up with sticky tack on the walls, I mean, frames are like for really good ones or something. Besides, some of them are just embarrassing pictures of Noct." He teased, deflecting a little bit.

[immortalmarshal]

"I dunno," Gladio muses. "I thought I saw a couple of nice ones in that box you had of them...especially the one of Noct's scrawny little ass."

Cor begins to ignore the usual arguments starting up again between Noctis and Gladio, instead focusing on Prompto. "You should still at least have something to display them on besides just a blank wall. I could always get you one of those cork boards and some pins, if you'd like."

[chocobosnap]

"Really?" Prompto asked, eyes a little brighter.

"I mean, yeah, that'd be great if you did, just...uh, thanks." He was easily flustered and unsure what to do with those nerves.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor smiles a little more warmly upon seeing Prompto light up. For some reason, it just feels right to treat Prompto like this. Something that's a practical gift...

"Sure. It wouldn't be hard to find one around here, and it'll be something you can keep."

[chocobosnap]

"That, um, that's great, really!" Prompto was excited. It was a small gift, but he wasn't really used to those. Aside from Noctis occasionally spoiling him with a small trinket like the chocobo keychain that was on his school bag, he didn't really get gifts.

"Is there...stuff I should know? I don't want to mess things up too much."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor gently shakes his head. "Not very much, no. At this moment, I only expect you to rest and recover in-between homework assignments. We can discuss catch-up training and house chores when your hand is healed up."

He will also need to contact Prompto's employer to let him know that the young blonde should be put on medical leave. Ideally, though, Cor should be encouraging Prompto to give his workplace a two-week notice, since the Marshall intends to financially support the lad until a new family could be found for him.

(Nevermind, of course, that they kind of found a family in each other already, and that Ignis may already be seeing that...)

[chocobosnap]

"Oh, yeah, well it's not a big deal, it doesn't hurt that much!" Prompto said cheerfully, he was used to a variety of injuries.

"I can help, I promise!"

He couldn't imagine anyone, including Cor, actually wanting him around, but he'll take what he can get and cherish it.

[immortalmarshal]

"I know, but you really do need to rest..."

"Cor's right," Gladio rumbles in agreement. "You're no good if you don't let your hand fully heal up."

Noct elbows his Shield for the poor wording. "What the big idiot means is that I--" he pauses and makes a face. "...we need you on top of your game. ...Can't exactly beat me at our games if you're stuck with only one hand."

Cor hides a smile by turning his back on the boys, and let them chatter for a bit. In the meantime, he's going to contact a few folks and get some more info on what's needed to become a temporary guardian.

Little does Cor know, though, that he's in for quite a fight with the system...

[chocobosnap]

The system was difficult. Prompto was a difficult child to place, at least, they thought so in part because of his heritage. His social worker would take the initial stance that he must have been lying, making up tall tales. His parents had had him for his entire life, why would there be abuse now?

Prompto hung out with his friends until it was time for them to go, he found himself in his new place, and it was different. Strange. He would need to get used to it.

He wasn't sure what he should do, though, to help. Certainly, he'd have to do something. He'd have to.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor simply referred the case worker to Minica regarding details of the charges being filed against Mr. Argentum. He even gave her the phone number, and told her that until the court case is done, he wishes to foster Prompto until a new family is found.

Once the others are gone, and the phone call is done, Cor shakes away the frustration of dealing with social services from his head. "It'll take time for approval, but I've put in a request to officially host you here until we can find a better home for you. In the meantime, go ahead and get settled into your new room. I'll get dinner ready for both of us."

He's already making a list in his head of what kind of groceries he'll need for the week, now that he's shopping for two people. But he should have enough food for tonight and tomorroe morning.