A/N: Hi, and thank you for checking out my new story! The number of Promptis fics I've written is quickly growing, and I thought it would be nice to compile them into one fic, so here it is! You can expect a mix of genres from cute and fluffy to sad and heart-wrenching, but I hope you'll enjoy them all, regardless. Happy reading :)


Summary: After Insomnia falls, Prompto tries his best to comfort Noct in his state of distress
(Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Established Relationship)

It must have been late, Prompto figured. Really late. The sound of someone stoking the campfire outside brought him out of his dreams, but as he sat up and brushed a hand through his hair, he remembered what a relief it was; his dreams had not been pleasant ones by any means. Flares of light bursting from Insomnia, screams that could be heard even from their vantage point on the hill, and thick, greenish-grey smoke swelling from a city he had once called home.

Prompto yawned, then listened to the sounds outside the tent. Glancing around to find Gladio and Ignis still asleep at his side, he deducted that Noctis must be the one still up. That thought alone sent a shiver through Prompto's already cold body. The three of them had turned in before the prince, giving him the space he'd said he'd needed, but that must have been hours ago now.

Being especially careful to not make any noise—since he had a reputation for clumsiness—Prompto slunk out of his sleeping bag, and pulled his boots on before heading outside. His heart ached at the sight. There was Noct, sullen and hunched in his chair, the firelight making the faded tear stains glisten on his cheeks, as if the flames wanted to give away the secret that he'd been crying.

Noctis acknowledged Prompto's presence with a mere dart of his eyes before his gaze returned to the fire. Prompto saw his bottom lip curl under, and his head fell forward as he let out a sob. Prompto made his way to the back of Noctis' chair, leaning forward and draping his arms over his friend's chest in a sort of embrace.

"I'm so sorry, buddy," he whispered. Noctis could only sob a response. Prompto held him tighter as he trembled beneath his grasp.

"The King was an incredible man. And Lady Lunafreya... I know you always said it was just a marriage of convenience, but in some ways, I'm sure you loved her, too. She was your childhood friend, after all."

Noctis always found it strange to hear Prompto's normally chipper voice so solemn. It only occurred rarely, but when it did, it filled him with a dark unease, for it meant something was truly wrong. And yet, there was a gentleness in it that always made Noctis break, and right now, he was thankful for it. He needed to let himself break.

Another louder sob emerged, this one wet and desperate, and Prompto brushed a thumb lightly over Noctis' chest, comforting his companion in one of the only small ways he knew how. After a moment or two, Prompto felt a hand reach up for his own. Noctis held it, almost gingerly, like he was afraid he might lose Prompto too, if he gripped too tightly, but Prompto wasn't going anywhere. He wasn't about to pull away, or turn his back on his friend.

"How do you always know what I need?" Noctis asked, catching his breath for a moment, staring absently into the fire. Prompto leaned in a little closer so that he could rest his chin on the back of the chair.

"To be honest, I don't actually know. I just... guess," Prompto admitted with a shrug, summoning the tiniest amount of merriment he could. Noctis nodded, squeezing Prompto's hand tightly, and closing his eyes even tighter.

"Well, you're damn good at it," he whispered, honestly. Prompto let out a half-hearted chuckle.

A few more minutes passed, the silence interrupted only by soft sobs and the crackling fire. The contrast between the dark sky and bright stars was fading as a new day threatened to dawn. Prompto watched the horizon intently, knowing that if Noctis didn't get some sleep soon, he'd be out of time to do so. Unless, of course, they took a day to rest instead of travel, and heaven knew Gladio wouldn't be too happy about that. In his current state, however, Noctis was still too wound up for sleep to find him, and Prompto had just the cure.

"Hey, Noct? You want to go for a little stroll? Might clear your mind, relax you a little... What do you say?" Prompto asked, gently.

"Yeah," the prince sighed, reluctantly moving from that spot in his chair that he'd been glued to for hours. Prompto's arms finally fell away; he'd been in that position for so long, his elbows felt a little creaky. In the back of his mind he wondered if the discomfort was simply from letting Noct go; it felt wrong to let him go.

He pushed the thought aside for now as they headed down the slope from the campsite, wandering off to see what piqued their interest, while remaining close enough to Ignis and Gladio's location that they could call for help if trouble showed up.


It was a while later that Ignis emerged from the tent with sleep-heavy eyes and limbs. His worries were put to rest when he spotted his two missing allies down by the lake, and with a sigh of relief, got to work making himself a cup of coffee. The smell of the caffeinated brew roused Gladio from his slumber, and he emerged from the tent like a bear.

"Don't tell me His Royal Highness was up all night," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It would seem so," Ignis replied, indifferently, handing Gladiolus a hot cup of the black liquid, hoping it might improve his mood.

"So, that means we'll probably be staying put for the day. I woulda' liked to put more of a distance between us and Insomnia," he sighed.

"As would I, considering the danger, but we most likely have no choice. Noct will be undoubtedly exhausted." Ignis was about to head for his chair when he saw the shock and irritation appear on Gladio's face.

"'The hell does he think he's doin'?!" Ignis followed Gladio's gaze down to where their friends were. The white sun and pink sky painted a vibrant and beautiful reflection on the lake. On the shore sat Prompto and his prince, bodies close and faces closer, lips meeting and parting in soft, leisurely motions.

"Even if it is likely his bride is dead, he's still the prince, and—"

Ignis' hand pressed against Gladio's strong chest, stopping him before he could charge toward the unsuspecting couple. Gladio met Ignis' serious gaze, and remained at a halt, waiting for whatever the man had to say.

"Let them be for now. This..." Ignis started, letting his hand fall and turning back toward the lake. "This may very well be the best thing for him. For both of them."

Gladio stared at the dark shadows in the morning's early light. Both looked more relaxed than they had in days. Noctis' shoulders had lost their stiffness, Prompto's form was no longer curled inward like it was when he just didn't know what to say. Gladio released a sigh.

"Iggy. You knew, huh?" Gladio asked. Ignis travelled toward his chair and slid gracefully into it. He folded one leg over the other and held his coffee cup in his lap with both hands. He stared into the black abyss of liquid before finally meeting his ally's eyes again.

"I suspected. They are very close, and there were plenty of hints along the way," he shrugged. Gladio hummed, thinking it over. Prompto did seem able to make Noctis smile more than the average person could. The jokes, the grins, the fact that Prompto was tagging along on this journey in the first place... Maybe they had been something more for a long time now. And maybe Ignis was right. This was the best thing for them.

Gladio heaved another heavy sigh, letting his frustration fall by the wayside. For Noctis and Prompto, this was just their way of finding light in the darkness, and the road ahead of them could easily become even darker. And so, despite his concerns about what might become of the Crown, he had to believe this was best. When was Iggy ever wrong?