It hurt you to see him like this. ( is this how saturn felt, all those years you were suffering? you have no way of asking - it definitely hurts, feeling like you can't do anything. ) Slender fingers moved to brush through the younger's knotted curls, and your other hand moved to cup the right ride of hide face - thumb not quite touching, but was near the awful cut that was definitely going to scar, observing, wondering, hoping it didn't hurt too much right now.

"Mhn." the combing through his hair is helping to ease the concern he feels, and it's not a new concern per se - it's the deep fear that's new. it's not the same fear he feels with noctis, with gladio, with ignis. it's not even the same fear he feels with arethusa. it's different. it's not the same. it's terrifying. "I'm just... he's so young. I don't know if it was a good idea to ask him and his best friend to join us."

lips thin into a flat line, not grinding his jaw but tensing his features to make them not as expressive as they normally are. not wanting people besides his close friends to notice, to see, to understand his fears. only to roll his eyes and puff out his cheeks at the accusation.

" To be fair, it was their idea, " You reminded him, letting out a soft hum. " And they're sure of themselves - well, as sure as you can be when you're a kid. It's better to be confident in them and their capabilities they have, rather than the capabilities they don't. " You had a point - it's not a good idea to dwell on the what-if's.

'i'm not acting like a papa bird,' he says, while acting like a total dad - you had to stifle back a giggle, hand brought over your mouth as you snorted.

"... I'm scared for him," it was hard not to be, in a world system like this, so much larger than him - larger than us as a whole, "Do you think he'll be alright without us, Thus'?"

A hand was softly combing through Prompto's blonde locks, and you offered a soft nod to him.

" You were also scared when you dragged me with you to the capital, " You reminded him, red lips curling into a soft smile. " I think he'll be fine. At least, I hope so. I think he's proven himself well enough that he can be out alone for missions so far, " A pause, you pressed a little kiss to Prompto's cheek.

You listened carefully, making sure to give soft, affirmative hums as your hands continued their gentle work - nails softly coming through curls as you nodded.

" Where there's darkness, there's light, " You reminded him softly, a hand moving towards his face to softly pat his cheek. " And where there's bad, there's good. You've been in Insomnia for... how long? " A ponder, you laughed softly. " Besides, you can't change the world, but... " Another soft brush, as your comb worked out another knot gently.