Another year passed, marking the fourth year of Noctis' disappearance and (Y/n)'s slumber. Prompto returned from another successful hunt, proud to claim his reward from Takka. He sat down on one of the stools at the counter as the man handed over the amount for the bounty. The moment the money was slid in his direction, the blonde pushed a small portion of it back to pay for a nice meal.

Takka was more than happy to prepare a warm meal for one of his regulars. He quickly whipped up a dish and served it to Prompto. The young man was overjoyed to finally be able to slake his hunger and fill his grumbling stomach. In minutes, his plate was clean with not even a single crumb left behind.

Thanking Takka, Prompto stood and turned to leave the diner. He took a few steps towards the entrance, but froze when he recognized the person entering the establishment. It was Gladio. His peaceful expression was replaced with one of disdain. Lowering his head, he tried to walk past him, but the brute had other plans. He grabbed his arm and stopped him from leaving. "Can we talk?"

"What is there to talk about?" Prompto muttered with a scornful tone.

"Just give me one damn minute to apologize."

He yanked his arm out of the shield's grip. "After an entire year, you finally wanna apologize. Don't you thinks it's a little too late for one?"

"You don't have to accept my shitty apology, but at least let me say it."

Prompto was silent for a moment before replying, "Fine."

Both men walked out of the diner and a little ways towards the fenced-off perimeter to avoid drawing attention if things got heated again. Gladio combed a hand through his hair, which he had been growing out. "I know it's been a year since I said all that shit, but it took an ass beating from Iggy to realize how much of an asshole I've been in recent years. I'm sorry for what I said to you that day. You not only lost Noct, but (Y/n) too. Out of the three of us, you've had it the roughest these past four years."

Prompto crossed his arms. He could hear the sincerity in Gladio's voice as he apologized. He inhaled deeply before exhaling. "Even though it's a year late, I forgive you, big guy. Sorry 'bout punching you in the face that day."

The brute grinned. "I'm surprised you had it in you, pipsqueak. No one's ever punched me that hard. Guess you really have gained muscles over the years."

The younger man remembered the pain he felt in his hand after punching him. "I thought I'd broken my hand on your face..."

Gladio guffawed. "Guess you're still a little fragile." He glances out at the darkness surrounding Hammerhead, watching the daemons in the distance as they wander to and fro. "Since I'm here, think I could see Sleeping Beauty?"

Prompto was taken aback at the question. He didn't expect Gladio to want to see (Y/n). "Um, sure. I...don't see why not."

He smirked, smacking the blonde's shoulder. "What? You that protective of her that you won't even let one of her friends see her?"

"No, I just didn't expect to hear that from you."

"Hey, short stuff grew on me while she was traveling with us. You're not the only one who misses her, loverboy."

"R-Right..." He shook his head. "A-Anyway, she's in the garage."

Prompto led Gladio over to the backroom located in the garage. As he opened the door, his cerulean eyes widened in horror. A figure with spiky sable locks and emerald eyes who was cladded in hunter attire loomed over (Y/n). Prompto's eyes narrow in a sharp glare as he ran into the room, summoning his pistol. He shoved the person against the wall, pressing his forearm against their throat and aiming the firearm at their head. "Why're you here?!"

Callyx grinned wickedly and managed to speak even with the pressure Prompto was applying to his windpipe. "How could I pass up the perfect opportunity to slay the one guardian that stands in my way of becoming the vessel of a god?" His eyes looked toward the slumbering girl. "She looks so peaceful... It sickens me to the core. She doesn't even know what's become of this world all because Brahma decided to preserve her body by using a sleeping incantation. Don't you think that was selfish of him?"

Prompto shoves the barrel of the pistol against the spirit's head. "Don't you even think about touching her," he growled.

Callyx looked back at the marksman. "Well, well, well, look at you. You've really grown in the past four years. Never expected the weakest of the prince's revenue would ever become a man. It seems I was wrong." He reached his hand up and zapped Prompto, forcing him to release him.

The blonde grunted in pain as the electrical shock caused his body to slam against the opposite wall. He dropped his pistol, which alerted Gladio. The shield went to summon his greatsword, but Callyx was quicker. He kicked the brute in the chest and sent him through the door.

Turning his attention back to (Y/n), Callyx summoned a red and black dagger. He raised it just above his head and brought it down on the girl's chest. When he thought the blade was going to pierce her skin and kill her, the sound of gunfire and the dagger being flung across the room caused his eyes to widen. Snapping his head in the direction the bullet came from, he scowled at Prompto. "Look at you being her knight in shining armor. Maybe I should kill you first."

Callyx was ready to kill the blonde. He held his hand out to summon his sword, but his attention was drawn to the sound of running footsteps approaching. Peering through the now broken door, he saw a group of hunters running towards the garage. Clicking his tongue, he stepped back and looked down at the sharpshooter. "You were lucky today, but I will succeed. Whether it be tomorrow or years from now, I will kill (Y/n). You better be prepared to lose the one you love the most, Prompto Argentum." In the blink of an eye, Callyx vanished.

Prompto wasn't fazed by the guardian's threat. He quickly stood up as a couple of hunters entered the room. The young woman with crimson locks eyed him. "We heard a gunshot. What happened?"

There was no way Prompto could explain the truth and decided to lie. "Sorry, that was my fault. I was jumping at shadows and accidentally fired a round."

"Well, as long as you're okay," the man beside the woman said.

He nodded, pushing himself off the floor. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, guys."

The group of hunters left the garage once receiving confirmation all is well. Gladio entered the room and looked toward his friend. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Prompto went over to (Y/n) and examined her for any injuries. Seeing she was unscathed, a grim expression made its way onto his face. "She's not safe here anymore. I have to take her somewhere else."

"And where exactly did you have in mind?"

"Maybe Wiz's or Lestallum?" Prompto sighed. "I really don't know..."

"Let's take her to Lestallum. Iris can keep an eye on her while you're out hunting."

The blonde nodded. "All right."

"I'll get the car. You get short stuff." Gladio left the garage.

Prompto pulled the blanket off (Y/n)'s body and carefully took her into his arms. He carried her out of the room and towards the truck that Gladio was driving. Placing her in the truck between him and the brute, he hopped into the vehicle and closed the door. Once he was comfortable, he slung an arm across her shoulders and pulled her into his side. Her slumbering body slumped against his as they left Hammerhead.

Arriving in Lestallum, Prompto carried (Y/n) to Iris' place with help from Gladio. Of course, the young Amicitia was more than happy to keep an eye on the slumbering girl. She had a small apartment in the city, but she had a spare bed they could put the guardian.

A couple hours passed before everything was set. Prompto made doubly sure the spirit was comfortable even though he couldn't actually tell. He sat on the bed, back facing her sleeping form. One of his hands was placed over the top of hers, tracing her fingers with his own. He then squeezed her hand with a melancholic sigh. "I really should leave, but I don't want to." He turned his head, focusing his attention on her peaceful face. "Now that you're in Lestallum, it'll be more difficult for me to visit. But I'll try my best to visit at least three times a week. I know Iris will watch over you while I'm gone. I trust her."

Reluctantly, Prompto released (Y/n)'s hand and walked out of the spare bedroom. Before he closed the door, he glanced at her one last time. "See you soon, (Y/n)."

<-------------<<<<<

Six more years passed, making it ten in total. Prompto's visits to Lestallum were few and far between these days due to being swamped with hunts. He now fought all on his lonesome and rarely joined other hunters unless they called for his help. Now thirty years old, he had decided to grow a small amount of facial hair. He kept his goatee neatly trimmed and found himself wondering from time to time if (Y/n) would approve of his new look.

Prompto was driving to Wiz Chocobo Post. He was finished with his current hunt and needed to report to Wiz himself. He parked on the side of the road, exiting the truck and making his way over to the man. He explained the pack of ice bombs would no longer be an issue and received his payment.

Since it had been a while since his last visit, Prompto wandered over to the pens to see the chocobos after speaking to Wiz. As he was petting one of the birds, another one with (f/c) feathers in the pen beside it trotted over and began pecking at his pocket. "H-Hey, quit it!" He whined, trying to stop the chocobo.

The (f/c)-colored bird managed to wedge something out of his pocket. Prompto tried to take it back, but the chocobo let out a soft 'kweh' as it turned away from him and pulled the paper out of his reach. It didn't harm the paper or try to eat it, but it did trot around in circles with it wedged between its beak. When the bird managed to open the folded up paper by waving its head around, it chirped and plopped down on the ground. Gently, it placed the paper on the ground and tapped its beak repeatedly against what was drawn on it.

Prompto leaned into the pen and realized the chocobo pulled out the drawn portrait of him and (Y/n) in Altissia. He forgot he kept it in his pocket, wanting to take it everywhere with him. While he had numerous of pictures of him and (Y/n) on his camera, he was more fond of the portrait. "Hey, buddy, can I have that back?" He asked sweetly.

The chocobo harshly squawked at him before nuzzling its beak against the drawing of (Y/n). Prompto couldn't understand why the bird was doing such a strange thing until it clicked. "Wait, you're that chocobo that really likes (Y/n)!" At the sound of the girl's name, the (f/c)-feathered bird hopped to its feet with an excited 'kweh'. It bumped its body against the railing of its pen repeatedly.

Prompto reaches out and pats the top of its head. "Sorry, buddy. She's not with me today, but I'll try to bring her with me the next time I visit. Just hang in there 'til then."

The chocobo grabbed the paper and gave it back to him. He folded it neatly and slid it back into his pocket. Stroking the bird's head one last time, he began walking back to his truck. As he went to grab the keys from his pocket, his phone started ringing. Wondering who it was, he pulled the device from his back pocket. Peering down at the screen, he was receiving a call from Talcott. He hadn't heard from him in a while and wondered if there was a problem. Accepting the call, he used a bubbly tone. "Hey, Tal! What's up?"

Prompto nearly dropped his phone when he heard the news Talcott shared with him. He scrambled into his truck after the call ended and drove as fast as he could to Hammerhead. He pulled into the outpost and saw Ignis and Gladio eagerly awaiting for Talcott.

Ten minutes pass before Talcott drives through the gate. He pulls his truck to a stop and someone exits the passenger's side. The door slams behind the person. Strolling towards the three men, Noctis greeted them casually. "Hey."

Gladio couldn't help but huff out a chuckle. ""Hey"? That's all you have to say for yourself-after all this time?" He puts his hand on Noctis' shoulder and playfully shoves him.

Prompto was excited to see his best friend had returned. "Noct, it's you! It's really you!"

"Is it? I hadn't realized," Noctis teased.

"Well, well. You kept us waiting," Ignis spoke up.

He walks up to the strategist and places his hand on his shoulder, which makes him smiles. "Not like I wanted to. We've got catching up to do." Then, he looked around and noticed one face was missing. "Where's (Y/n)?"

"Brahma placed a sleeping spell on her to preserve her body after you were sucked into the Crystal," Prompto mumbled sadly.

"Sleeping Beauty's in Lestallum. Iris is taking care of her," Gladio added.

That's when realization slapped Prompto across the face. "Now that you're back, she's gotta be awake! W-We need to head to Lestallum right now!" He rushed over to Talcott before he could get out of the vehicle. "Hey, Tal, think you could give us a lift to Lestallum?"

"I don't see why not. Hop aboard," Talcott answered.

Prompto then casted his eager smile towards his friends. "What're you three waiting for? Come on!"

Noctis smiled. "Last time I saw him this excited, we were heading to the chocobo farm."

"He truly has missed (Y/n)," Ignis said.

"It wouldn't be polite of us to keep a lady waiting," Gladio chuckled. "Besides, if we don't hurry, pipsqueak's gonna hightail it outta here without us."

"Then let's go," Noctis said.

The four pile into Talcott's truck. Gladio and Prompto sit in the flatbed while Ignis and Noctis were inside the cabin. Talcott left Hammerhead and headed for Lestallum.

The moment they crossed into the Cleigne region near the illuminated city of Lestallum, Gladio received a call from Iris. He didn't even get to greet her before she began worriedly screaming over the phone. The shield winced, pulling his phone away from his ear slightly. "Hey, calm down, Iris. What happened?"

Prompto wondered what the sudden call was about and eavesdropped. He shook his leg as he could make out bits and pieces of what Iris was trying to say. He eagerly questioned the brute when the phone call ended. "Did something happen?"

"You're probably not gonna like this," Gladio said. "(Y/n)'s missing."

Prompto gasped. "What...?"

"Iris turned her back for a minute and during that time, (Y/n) vanished. She's looking for her as we speak."

The blonde bit his bottom lip, worried about his beloved. "Wh-Where could she've gone?"

Gladio leant forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her."

Prompto ceases rolling his bottom lip between his teeth, nodding. "Yeah..." Even though his friend tried to provide him comfort, he couldn't help but worry. It'd been ten years since Brahma put (Y/n) to sleep and now after she's awoken, she's missing. He was on edge the rest of the drive.

Arriving in Lestallum two hours later, Prompto hopped out of the flatbed beside Gladio. Ignis and Noctis exited the cabin and began searching the city after being told by the shield what happened. They searched the alleyways, the main thoroughfare, and the market.

After regrouping near the marketplace, the four men made their way towards the last place they hadn't checked: the power plant. As they reached the top of the stairwell leading to the bridge connecting the power plant to the rest of Lestallum, they spotted a girl standing outside the gate. Her (h/c) locks blew in the light breeze sweeping through the city.

Noctis, Ignis, and Gladio stopped where they stood while Prompto took a few steps forward. He inhaled a shaky breath before exhaling it. Almost like a newborn animal, he stumbled slightly as if he hadn't used his legs before. "(Y/n)...?" He called out weakly.

The girl turned around, blinking in surprise before smiling. Her golden eyes landed on Prompto, admiring how he's changed. She then looked towards the other three men and saw they too had aged. "Oh, wow. You guys look old. What did I miss?"