Night Light {FFXV/OT4}

Hammerhead

Chapter Ten: Hammerhead

-

Prompto was in the hospital for about three days before the doctors finally discharged him. Noctis had stayed by his side the whole time, while Ignis and Gladio had been constantly popping in and out of the hospital. The two retainers took on small quests, doing miscellaneous tasks for people around the station. Gladio had insisted it was a better use of their time, earning Gil instead of sitting around all day.

The mysterious surgeon hadn't returned even once to check up on his patient, and Noctis was still no closer to finding out who exactly the man had been. What was concerning was that doctors had no idea, either: the man had been in the hospital when Prompto needed him purely by lucky coincidence, and apparently he didn't even work here. Ignis had given the staff a thorough lecture on letting random people cut open injured patients. They were just lucky the man had actually known what he was doing.

Prompto had recovered quickly, shockingly so. Ignis had concluded that it was due to either the daemon blood inside of the blonde or it was something to do with altered genetics. He thought it was more likely to be the first; Prompto looked like them, acted like them. There was no way he was anything but human, Ignis was certain of it, although the blonde's past was a mystery he was looking forwards to unravelling.

The four were on their way to Hammerhead, packed into the Regalia. Ignis was driving as per usual. He still didn't trust Noctis to drive, even if the Prince had -after several attempts- passed his driving test. Noctis, Prompto and Gladio were all packed into the back, leaving Ignis alone in the front.

Neither the Prince nor his Shield would sit in the front, both insisting they'd get car sick if they did. Prompto had offered to sit in the front beside Ignis instead, but he was wearing his full Magitek Armour to keep safe from the sunlight. Ignis had insisted the blonde would draw too much attention in the front seat, so it was decided they could all pack together in the back.

Prompto was sat on the left side, Gladiolus on the right. Noctis was sprawled out between and over them, the Prince having ignored Ignis even when the man had demanded he put on a seatbelt. 'It's fine, specs. We've got you driving' he'd insisted, and Ignis had given up, realising his attempts to sway his charge were futile. Noctis' head was resting in Gladio's lap, feet propped up on Prompto's shiny armour as he napped, jacket thrown over his face to hide it from the intrusive sunlight.

"So Prompto, are you looking forwards to Hammerhead?"

The question came from Ignis, and Prompto nodded his head in response, seeing the advisor watching him for an answer in the rearview mirror. Prompto couldn't speak with his armour on, any noise coming out garbled from behind the mask. Once he had a response the advisor turned his eyes back to the road, finishing up the one sided conversation. "Good. Cid and Cindy are accommodating, incredibly nice people. I'm sure they'll love you"

Prompto nodded once again, and they fell back into quiet. It was quite relaxing, some silence. After the brief conversation nobody talked again as they drove, listening to the soft music Noct had put on before he'd fallen asleep. Prompto was staring out at the scenery, watching the world rush by as they drove. Gladio had his nose buried in his book, not minding Noctis' head resting on his lap. He'd adjusted to the feeling quickly, glad that the Prince didn't move around too much in his sleep.

That all continued for another hour, until they finally pulled into the Hammerhead parking lot. "Gladio, wake Noct up will you? We've arrived."

The Shield nodded with a grunt and begun poking Noctis. Prompto watched, a small smile present behind the armour masking it.

"Come on sleeping beauty. Wake up" Noctis did just that upon receiving a particularly hard poke from Gladio, sitting up with a groan.

"Mm... are we there now?"