Night Light {FFXV/OT4}

A Human Being

Chapter Eighteen: A Human Being

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Prompto couldn't remember the exact point when he'd begun hoping that Noctis would come to save him. Save him for real this time: he knew now that what he'd seen before had been a fake.

Ardyn had knocked him out after he'd shot the pretend Noctis. Once unconscious he'd been moved away form the Magitek Crystal. It's affects had eventually worn off, and when they had he'd cried in relief as he realised that the figure he'd shot hadn't been the real Noctis.

When Prompto had shot at the illusion, the body of a Magitek Trooper had fallen to the floor, not the Prince. He could remember that sight now that his mind wasn't covered by the red haze. Could remember enough to know that he hadn't killed his only chance of rescue. His only friend.

He knew it was incredibly foolish to hope for Noctis, Ignis and even Gladio to come running in, to save him from this hell. Why would they help him? He was sure to them he was still just a Magitek Trooper, a 'mutt of the empire' as Gladiolus had so kindly put it. He was certain that they wanted nothing more to do with him.

Despite that, he couldn't help dreaming of the royal entourage rushing in through the elevator, saving him from this nightmare that would otherwise be endless. He'd tried to banish the thoughts from his mind at first, but they were persistent, failing to disappear and instead blooming into hopes and dreams. All he could do now was pray to the Astrals that they didn't end up shattered.

He'd been here a week now from what he could tell. Ardyn seemed to pop up randomly so he didn't really have a way to know, but it felt like a week. A long week of pain that he knew might never end.

He tried his best not to think about that, though. Imagining the worst case scenario was not going to get him out of here.

He hummed quietly to pass the time, to keep himself sane. His throat was dry and the humming that sometimes turned into quietly mumbled words caused a dull ache. He didn't care; he had to remind himself that there was a world outside of his own head. A place where he could be safe and happy with Noctis. Insomnia, that's what Noctis had told him. The crown city. He wanted to go there, to the place where Ardyn could never touch him again.

Prompto was soon snapped from his fantasies, forcing his head up as he heard the grinding of metal, warning him the elevator was descending. He felt the lurch of his stomach that the noise always brought, skin crawling with anticipation. He hated how scared a simple noise could make him, but he just couldn't hold the fear back. That noise always followed with pain in some form or another. He just wanted it to stop.

"Why hello my dearest 05 It's so lovely to see you again."

Prompto didn't respond, simply glowering. Ardyn was always so theatrical and he hated it. He hated  everything about the man, really. The annoying waves of crimson hair, the irritating way he spoke, the way he could hold himself with such self righteousness despite the terrible things he did.

Prompto felt anger boiling in the pit of his stomach but didn't let the ugly monster rear it's head. If he lashed out, said the wrong thing, it would only result in more pain. He'd learnt that by now.

"Why, you're awfully quiet today. Finally behaving for me are you?"

Prompto slowly inhaled through his nose to keep himself quiet, and it seemed to pay off. Ardyn's lips curled into a pleased smile. Prompto couldn't repress a shudder as the man reached out and carded large fingers through his hair, giving a slight tug at the mess of blonde locks before he pulled away.

"Such a good boy.. I think you deserve a reward, hm?"

Prompto felt a flutter of hope in him at the words but he quickly squashed it, reminding himself that whatever reward the Chancellor had in mind couldn't be a good one. He looked up at the man through cautious red eyes, glowing ever so slightly in the dim room.