A/N: Hello lovely readers! I wrote this story months ago, and I decided to unveil it during Promptis Fanweek! So, this first chapter conveniently falls under Day 6's prompt: Desperation. This will be an ongoing fic, which has nine chapters in total at the moment. Of course, my stories have a tendency to grow as I edit them, so it could be a bit longer than that when it's finished. We shall see. Without further ado, the story!

Chapter 1: Cutting Ties

Prompto perked up at the sound of a vehicle outside his apartment, its tires crackling against the hot, morning asphalt. He hopped up from where he'd been sprawled out on the couch playing with his phone, and headed toward the window, brushing the curtain aside so he could look out. He smiled when he saw the familiar black car. Its fresh coat of paint glistened in the sunlight, and its spotless interior was clearly visible with the top down; both made Prompto want to go for a spin in the luxurious ride right then and there.

So, Noct is back, he happily thought before trotting toward the door. He opened it just as Noctis raised his hand to start knocking.

"Hey," came Noct's surprised reaction, eyes slightly wide from being startled.

"Hey," Prompto grinned, his expression as warm and inviting as ever as he held the door open.

Noctis entered, nodding a thank you and plunking himself down on one of the stools at the island counter. He seemed quiet, even for the ever stoic prince, so Prompto could only imagine he had a lot on his mind after his time at the palace.

Prompto grabbed a couple of sodas from the fridge before leaning against the opposite side of the counter, and sliding one of the cans across to his friend. Noctis uttered another thank you before popping open the can and taking a sip of the orange, bubbling liquid.

"So, how was it?" Prompto asked, knowing his friend wouldn't feel like rambling unless he was invited—or in some cases, begged—to do so. Noctis met Prompto's light blue eyes only for a second or two before his gaze returned to the counter. He took in a deep breath and let it out, thinking back on the past month.

After school had finished, and their high school graduation was over, Noctis had returned to the Citadel, much to Prompto's dismay. He'd sold his apartment, since he'd really only acquired it for school anyway, and moved back home. And 'home' was a little too far away for Prompto's liking.

It meant no trips to the arcade together, eating out at one or two in the morning, or even just chatting or hanging out. Being without Noctis had made Prompto downright lonely, but he didn't want to admit it, especially since it would only make Noctis feel guilty. But when duty called, Noct didn't have a choice but to report in.

"I don't even know where to begin," Noctis sighed. "My dad... The King is looking pretty fragile these days."

"Mm, sorry to hear, Noct." Noctis nodded, silently realizing how much he had missed Prompto calling him that. "You think he's gonna be okay?" came Prompto's next question, brows creased in concern.

"I have no idea," the prince solemnly shook his head. He tapped his fingernails against the aluminum can, almost making himself cringe at the tinny sound. "He just looks older, and he's physically weaker. I can tell."

Prompto took a swig of his own drink, swishing the tingly beverage around in his mouth for a second while he mulled it over. He didn't like to think of poor King Regis in such a state, and he knew how much Noctis looked up to him.

Prompto could remember the first time Noctis had taken him to the palace to introduce him, and Regis had immediately engaged in conversation with him. To Prompto's surprise, he genuinely took an interest in everything he had to say. He'd even asked Prompto to stay and dine with them, and it had made Prompto feel like he was royalty himself. The King was a kind and generous man, and it didn't take long for Prompto to see that if something was important to his son, it was important to him, too.

Feeling at a loss, Prompto looked up at Noctis with deep sympathy.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He couldn't stop himself from asking. He knew Noctis would probably wave him off and tell him to stop being stupid. He would tell him that of course he couldn't do anything in this situation, but thanks for caring anyway.

Instead, he was shocked by the way Noctis' eyes fluttered up towards his own, filled with some sort of fearful desperation that he'd never seen in those steely blue eyes before.

"I want you to get me out of here."

"Huh?" Prompto chuckled playfully, but Noctis remained dead serious.

"I want to get out of this town, away from Insomnia."

"I'm... not sure I get it," Prompto sheepishly grinned. Noctis leaned his head across the table, pulling Prompto's gaze to his own.

"I want to run away. Just you and me," he explained. Prompto's smile fell at the lack of humour in Noctis' tone, but he couldn't ignore the sudden pounding in his heart that had started with the words 'just you and me'.

Prompto swallowed hard, painfully aware of how close his and his best friend's faces were, and he pulled away slightly, knowing if he let himself linger that close for too long, he might end up crossing a line. Better not risk crossing any lines when it came to royalty.

"Run away? You sure that's a good idea?" Prompto queried, mustering a small smile, though his voice quavered.

"Thought you wanted to help," Noctis muttered, eyes looking dangerous as they darted toward the floor. One of the prince's hands had fallen from its tight grasp on the soda can, and Prompto reached for it gingerly. Noct looked like he needed it.

"Noct, what I mean is, even though I'm flattered you'd want to take me with you," Prompto started, mustering a grin so his friend would know he meant well. "Do you really think that running away is the best way to deal with your problems?"

Noctis' bottom lip curled under, and he bit it harshly. Prompto thought this was bad? He didn't even know the half of his problems yet.

"Look, I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't desperate."

Noctis' pursed lips and downcast, angry gaze were driving Prompto crazy. Maintaining his calm demeanor, he gave Noct's hand a tender squeeze, bringing the prince's attention back to him. The gesture softened his gaze.

"Things are pretty bad, huh?" Prompto asked, voice low and drenched in concern.

"The Regalia is packed. Everything I need is already in the trunk. All you need to do is say yes," Noctis said, and although his tone didn't really hold much emotion, his eyes did. Prompto was lost in the emotions that swirled within their depths, a mix of innocence, pain, and pure helplessness pooling together in the small spaces.

"Yes," Prompto replied, barely thinking.

"Yes?" Noctis blinked, clearly shocked.

"Yeah, if this is what you need... then I'm with you," Prompto promised, and he meant it. If Noctis was suffering, he would do whatever it took to help him. And the way his face lit up with that answer... It reassured Prompto that this was what Noct needed, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.

"Just let me pack a few things, myself," Prompto told him, mouth twisting upward at one side.

"Sure," Noct agreed, bringing his soda can to his lips again. This mouthful seemed to go down more smoothly than his previous swigs.

Prompto headed for his bedroom, and lugged a nylon suitcase out from within his closet. He hoisted it up onto his bed and tried to blow off the layer of dust that had collected on top of it. He didn't think the old thing had been used since he'd moved into this apartment.

He decided it was best not to let himself think too hard about what he was doing. He was leaving town for the first time since he could remember. He was leaving the life he knew—a moderately simple life in a city he loved, and it made him nervous when he considered leaving it. He instead made himself focus on the other half of that equation: he was leaving with Noctis, the young man who had given his life purpose.

Prompto circled around his room several times, tossing a few more items of clothing, toiletries, and personal objects into the suitcase with each promenade. Then he caught sight of a brilliant, silver shimmer in his closet. He stepped forward slowly, almost ceremoniously, like he'd forgotten what the object was, and what it meant. Prompto reached out for the glimmering item of great importance: his gun.

He skimmed a hand over the barrel and breathed in. First and foremost, if Prompto was leaving with Noct, then Noct was his to protect. With no Crownsguard to accompany them, it was Prompto's job to make sure no harm came to the prince. He had to take this seriously, and he had to be ready for anything.

Of course, he could be overthinking things. Noctis could change his mind after a day on the road, and they could be turning around to come back home in a heartbeat. It wasn't like Noctis hadn't pulled stunts like that before.

He'd told Prompto about how as a child, he'd begged and begged for a goldfish. Nothing fancy, just your regular run-of-the-mill goldfish like the other kids in school had as pets—Prompto included. His advisors, especially Ignis, had tried to convince him that a prince hadn't the time for taking care of such things, but King Regis had disagreed. He'd taken a separate approach, saying it might teach Noct about responsibility.

In the end, when Noctis had finally gotten his fish, he decided he didn't want it at all. He wanted a puppy instead. Sadly, puppies had no place in the palace, so Noctis sent the fish back to the store, and sulked for the rest of the week.

So yes, Noct could easily be singing a different tune once they were actually out on the open road, but as Prompto strapped his holster around his waist and stared at his sober expression in the mirror, he realized something. He liked the idea of being Noct's protector, and a huge part of him was already hoping they wouldn't have to turn back. Spending time alone with Noct was something Prompto had never complained about nor dreaded in his life, and he wasn't about to start now.

With a satisfied nod at his appearance, Prompto stepped away from the mirror and back toward his suitcase. He zipped it closed and tugged his phone out of his pocket. He dialed the number for his parents, realizing he should probably let them know he wouldn't be home for a while; it seemed like the courteous thing to do. But of course, the phone rang and rang without answer, and with a sigh, Prompto swiped his phone to end the call. At least he'd tried.

"You all set?" Noctis asked, peeking around the doorway.

"Yep. All set," Prompto grinned, stuffing his phone back into his pocket and hauling his suitcase down from the bed, carrying the heavy thing into the kitchen. He chuckled when he saw Noctis had raided his cupboards for food for the trip—crackers, chips, bread, a couple more sodas from the fridge.

"I see we'll be eating well," Prompto said, scratching his cheek innocently.

"Come on," Noctis rolled his eyes, gathering the heap of food into his arms as he headed outside. Prompto took one last glance at his empty apartment before stepping out into the sunlight, and locking the door behind him.