The Scars We Carry

Chapter 4

After breakfast, the trio sat quietly at the table. They knew that they needed to do something about their friend's situation but at the moment they were at a loss for what they should do. Ignis had said something about bringing his uncle here to do a full check-up on Prompto, but he knew he wouldn't sit by and say nothing about the injuries to the authorities. Gladio suggested calling the police himself and getting Prompto into a doctor but Ignis pointed out that would make Prpmpto upset. All these ideas ended with upsetting Prompto, but Ignis said that might have to be the end result no matter what they did.
Around eleven is when Prompto woke up again and this time he felt cold. His body shivered and curled into himself, and let's be honest that made his stomach flip from the pain. Just as Prompto was about to cry out for someone he felt a rather cool hand be placed on his cheek. His eyes opened slightly and were greeted by Ignis who had a forced smile on his face. Ignis didn't like what he saw. The blonde's face was pale and had damp hair from the sweat. His eyebrows were pressed together in absolute discomfort and Ignis knew what he had to do. "Noct, Gladio get your coats we're taking him in, this is far past my expertise and he needs medical attention," Before Prompto could protest Ignis lifted him up and wrapped him in a small blanket as the other two men were getting their shoes. They left the apartment quietly trying not to draw attention to them seeing that they had Noctis with them, and the media would be all over them in a matter of minutes if they saw the prince leave his apartment to go to the hospital. "where are we taking him Iggs?" Gladio finally asked once they made it to the car and got Prompto somewhat comfortable in the back seat. "The Citadel Hospital," he said getting in the car and starting it. As soon as those words left his lips Prompto started to panic and try to play off his condition as well as what his father did to him. Ignis wasn't having it, and Prompto's fever was worse meaning some kind of internal damage was going on, also he wasn't eating and he was clearly dehydrated.
Once they reached the hospital and were inside things for Prompto moved quickly. He was carried in by Gladio and passed over to a bed and was quickly given an IV. He was wheeled all over getting exams and x-rays as well as some kind of scan for his brain seeing he had a huge bruise now forming where his head was bleeding. The whole process was time-consuming and by the time Prompto was in a hospital room all he wanted to do was sleep. When Noctis and the others were allowed in the room and saw their friend for the first time in a few hours what they saw was enough to make Ignis feel a small twinge of tears in his eyes. Prompto looked so pale and small in his hospital bed and gown it made him look much younger than he really was.

It didn't take long for the authorities to be contacted after the doctors evaluated Prompto's condition. As soon as the police were called Ignis had Noctis head upstairs to his room while Gladio settled everything with Prompto. Reluctant Noctis agreed and headed upstairs and waited for updates on his phone. Ignis started by talking to the police about the incident that transpired just the night before. he even handed over the recording of the call between Gladio and Prompto. He continued to answer questions and tried to give the best responses, but the more they asked him questions he noticed just how much they do not know about Prompto's home life. He knew what he said only had little weight to anything until Prompto woke up and gave his statement, and who even knew if he was going, to tell the truth about his adoptive father? Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed as he looked at the blonde in the hospital bed. He was asleep and the doctors said he might be for the rest of the day. Gladio on the other hand called his father right away and asked for his help. He knew his father would know what to do and some of the procedures that's needed to file a case and all that so him being here would be great. He decided to call him and left the room for some privacy.
Ignis waited for the doctors to come back into the room. He knew some of Prompto's injuries, but he wish he could of done more at Noctis' Aparment. As he waited he closed his eyes and ran through what he had said to the police. He said everything that they needed to know and never once did he mention the Prince, neither did Gladio. So the prince was in the clear for now. He was about to drift off when a soft knock from the door caused him to open his eyes. Here he was expecting the doctor to be coming back, but here he was face to face with the KIng, Cor Leonis, and Clarus Amicitia. The young adviser quickly stood and bowed to his higher ups. "My king don't worry, the prince went upstairs before the police got here and both Gladious and my statements to the police didn't mention him at all," the king placed a comforting hand on Ignis' shoulder and smiled. "I have no reason to believe that you would, however I came down to see how the young Argentum is doing," he said crossing the room with Cor and ran a hand through Prompto's sweaty hair. "The doctor should be in soon to tell the rest of the prognosis," he said as he watched the three men come closer to Prompto. "what do you know of his origin Ignis?" Regius asked as he looked at Prompto's wrapped arm hiding his barcode. "I know he was adopted when he was around two and he has been with the Argentum family since then," he said a bit confused by the question. "what we are about to tell you doesn't leave this room," Clarus said in a deep voice and slowly shut the door leaving the four of them to talk.
~Three hours later~
Upstairs Nocis paced his bedroom waiting for Ignis to give him an update on Prompto. He hated every second of it. He hated not being in the know of what was going on with his best friend. Just as he was about to call Ignis there was a soft knock on the door. He quickly opened the door and was face to face with Gladio and Ignis. The two looked exhausted and serious at the same time. "How is he?" he asked stepping aside to let them in. As they entered the room Noctis was nervous to hear what they had to say. After a few minuites of silence Ignis was the first to speak. "Prompto will be out of the hospital by morning," he said calmly and Noctis could feel a weight be lifted off him. "The doctor said none of the injuries he sustained are life threatening," he said and even more weight lifted off the young prince. "As of an hour ago Prompto has told the police about Mr. Argentum and he is being questioned at the police station," Noctis nodded and his head was swimming with questions. "and as for what will happen to Prompto he is now under the guardianship of The Marshal Cor Leonis and will be living with him for now on," The last part shocked both the prince and Gladio. The two looked at each other and both were confused. before they could speak more Ignis cut them off. "For now I think its best we rest and be thankful for the Marshal has taken Prompto in and even that being said Prompto has agreed to start his training to be a crowns guard in the next few months," he smiled and the other two in the room looked dumbfounded as Ignis left the room and shut the door behind him. As the other two men were left in the room Ignis leaned against the wall and sighed. Everything that had happened in the last few hours, the knowledge he gained that he couldn't tell anyone, was enough to make anyone feel nauseous. As he leaned against the door he heard faint footsteps come down the hall. As he opened his eyes to look he saw it was Cor Leonis himself carrying a stack of papers in one hand and his phone in the other. The Marshal was taking on a lot by taking in a kid, yes the kid in question was seventeen and would be a legal adult in about six months, but still it was still shocking to Ignis, he couldn't imagine what was going through Prompto's mind about it.