The Scars We Carry

In The Dark

 A half-hearted sigh escaped Promptos lips as he sat in the car along with his friends. They were celebrating Noctis and his graduation, and if he was honest he wasn't too happy about graduating just yet. Unlike the three other men in the car he had no idea what he was going to do with his life. Maybe he would do something with photography? maybe he'd go work on a Chocobo farm? he had so many options, but if he was honest he just didn't want his friendship with the prince and his guards to end, but seeing he was a commoner among royalty he had a feeling it was just a long time coming. A sudden jab in his ribs caused him to snap back into reality. "What do you say Prompto?" Noctis asked laughing at something that was said while he was off in his own mind. "Doesn't that sound fun!" He added. Prompto laughed nervously and rubbed the spot where he was jabbed. "Sure that sounds fun!" he added. It was enough to convince his friends as they drove down the road and pulled into a nice restaurant. Just what Prompto needed at the moment. He already felt so out of place, but here he was in a dumb red sleeveless shirt and leather jacket while the others were dressed in expensive clothing, now they were going into a restaurant where he knew he'd stick out like a sore thumb.

As the men got out of the car Prompto's face turned a soft shade of pink as the other people in the restaurant were looking over at them. It was probably more because the young prince was here, but it still made him feel insecure. As the four men were sitting at the table and were handed menus Prompto made a face at the prices. Ignis cleared his throat noticing the boy's reaction. "Don't worry Prompto, the king said to order whatever you want, he is very proud of you boys graduating and with good grades as well." That was enough to make Prompto's face grow a darker shade of red as he his face in the menu. "look Prompto we actually brought you here to talk to you about something." Noctis chimed in like an excited child. Prompto was about to ask when Gladio spoke up quickly. "maybe it should wait until after dinner." as Gladio spoke his tone was almost annoyed. "wait now I'm curious!" Prompto said a bit worried about what they were talking about. "I agree.." Ignis said pushing his glasses up and still looking at the menu. "Let's enjoy our meal and we'll speak afterwords." with that, they went back to their menus as Prompto's mind started to race on what was so important they couldn't discuss over dinner.
After the best dinners Prompto has ever had well besides the one time Ignis had cooked for Noctis and him, the four men left the restaurant Prompto was feeling a bit better about what was going on between them. As they all piled into the car Gladio was the first to speak. "damn that was amazing!" the shield said rubbing his stomach and groaning as he leaned back in the back seat. "It sure was.." Noctis added in feeling stuffed like the rest of the men in the car. "Now let's get young Prompto home before it gets too late." Ignis said pulling out of the restaurant and heading back to the outskirts of the main city. "but Iggy!" Noctis whined putting his head between Prompto and Ignis's seats. "We haven't even asked him yet!" Prompto completely forgot about them having to ask him something. Sinking back in his seat Prompto was so nervous he could feel his dinner coming back up. "Don't worry it's actually a good thing," Noctis added placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Noctis spoke with his father and pulled some strings," Ignis Added clearing his throat before he continued. "If you are willing there is a spot for you next year when you turn eighteen to start your training with Gladio to be a member of the crown guard." Prompto felt as if he was hearing things, or maybe it was just a dumb joke, but Ignis never made jokes like that. "Are you joking?" he asked in a tone that came out as almost a squeak. "Were serious blondie" Gladio said through a few chuckles as Noctis was looking like a kid on Christmas. "what do you say?" Noctis asked looking at Prompto. "wow... I just its a lot to think about." he said obviously a bit overwhelmed by the offer, it wasn't what he was expecting, and it was something he didn't even think it was a possibility at this point to be an option for the future. "It's ok if you need some time to think about it," Gladio said putting a hand on Noctis's shoulder to try and get him to listen to what he was about to say. "It's a big decision and we all will respect the fact it may take you a bit to decide." when he said that and Prompto nodded and Noctis seemed to back off a bit seeing that it was a big decision that would change his life.
After a long car ride, they pulled up to Prompto's house. As they pulled up Prompto's heart hit his stomach as he saw his father's car in the driveway. "Looks like someone's home," Gladio said looking out the window and smiling. Forcing a smile Prompto nodded and got out of the car. "bye guys, I'll text you after a bit I promise!" he said smiling and waving to his friends as they drove away. If only they knew the true feelings he had for his family. As he made his way into the house the smell of his father's stench filled his nose. Whenever his father wasn't around he would spend hours cleaning trying to get the smell. It was the smell of cigarette smoke and dirty clothes. As he took off his shoes at the front door he could see his father's shoes in the hall. Sighing he walked over and picked them up. As he started to stand up he could see his father's shadow from the fridge light illuminate the kitchen floor. Should he say something that he was here? or should he just make his way to his room and call it safe for a night and deal with his father in the morning? He wasn't quite sure if the second option was the best, but one thing was for sure he did not have the energy for his father at the moment. Returning his father's shoes to a safe spot by the door he turned around to be greeted by his father in the hallway. "why are you getting home so late have a girl or something?" his father teased and laughed. the sound of his father's voice proved what Prompto thought, his father had been drinking again. Seeing that once his father goes off on different odd jobs he would throw away the alcohol, but each time his father would bring back more and the smell of it made him sick. "No, I was out with some friends celebrating our graduation is all dad, just took us a bit longer to get home." No part of what he said was a lie, but what did it feel like it? He tried to walk past his father only to be stopped by a forceful hand on his head causing him to wince. "There's no food in the fridge, go buy some more." His father said in a slurred voice and pushed Prompto back towards the door. "It's eight o'clock at night," Prompto said looking at the clock and back at his dad who had a face that just showed he didn't care. "And, the store is still open and I'm hungry." He said and grabbed Promptos wrist pulling him closer. The force hurt making the blonde wince. His father grabbed his chin and forced him to look up at him. his fingers dug into his chin and cheeks hurting his jaw. "remember what happened last time you talked back to me boy" He said and let Prompto go walking to the living room leaving Prompto alone in the hallway.
seeing that Prompto wasn't allowed to use his father's car the only way he was getting to the store was his old bike. The town around him was dark and lit up by the streetlights and the few stores still open. the night air was cold and Prompto just wanted to get a few groceries and get back home as soon as possible seeing he knew his father was trashing his room looking for money, but he learned not to have cash in the house after last time. when he reached the store he locked his bike on the pole and went inside. Knowing full well his father was in no mood to cook he grabbed some easy microwave meals and some ingredients for salads and sandwiches for him. In the past Prompto would buy a quick burger on the way home and a burger turned into two. He ate more and more and he gained so much weight that now he was getting better about his portioning and running every day. His Father on the other hand was a very large man and he took Prompto losing his weight as him thinking he was better than him. As he continued in the store and grabbed a few other things he was running low on. As he made his way to the check out he heard his phone ding. He pulled out his phone and looked at the ID seeing it was Ignis. Confused Prompto opened the message.

~Iggy~ Hey, Just checking in. You didn't seem too thrilled about us dropping you off tonight is everything ok?

Prompto swallowed hard looked at the message and responded

~Prom~ Yeah, just my dad and I don't have the best relationship it's nothing to worry about see you tomorrow XD

He hated lying to Iggy seeing he had been taking care of him for the past four years while his mother was gone and his dad was in and out of the house he owed Ignis a lot. He quickly put his phone away and checked out the few items he had. The ride home was cold and bitter. His leather jacket only protected him so much as he biked all the way home. As he put his bike in the shed and made his way inside he could tell his father had found his spot on the couch watching TV. Sighing he made his way into the kitchen and he was horrified at what he saw. The kitchen was a mess. Cups were all over the floor and food that was in the fridge was scattered on the floor along with empty bottles of alcohol. Placing the bags onto the counter top he grabbed the broom from the closet and started to sweep up the mess. His father always did something like this when he got home. Whenever he got drunk he got so destructive and hostile that it was no wonder mom spent her time across seas, his only wish is that she would have taken him with her. As he was sweeping his fathers came up from behind and grabbed Prompto by the back of his hair and turned him around. "what the fuck do you think you are doing." His father threw him to the floor and kicked him into the counter rolling across the discarded food and bottles. "You're just like your damn whore of a mother, thinking you're better than me by cleaning up my mess, you're just an adopted NIff who should know his place!" His words hurt him, but he knew some of what he said was true. He was adopted and he should be grateful that he has a home. His father pulled him up by his throat and slammed him against the fridge. the sound of glass bottles on the inside falling over followed by the sound of Prompto's choked sobs filled the apartment. Prompto kicked his feet and struggled against his father's grasp. "Just the sight of you makes me sick." His father let go of his throat and let him drop. A small cry came from Prompto's mouth and he looked up at his father. His side hurt and his throat were on fire. "get out." his father said looking down at Prompto. Before he could respond his father grabbed him by the back of his shirt and dragged him out of the kitchen, down the hall, and out the door. Prompto looked at his father with pleading eyes before he was thrown off the steps and onto the cold concrete walkway "get the fuck out of my house you Niff." with that Prompto was left out in the cold and dark.