Warning: Noctis/Prompto.

Chapter Two

Upon arriving at the palace, Noctis scowled and squeezed shut his eyes. He hadn't been back at the palace in months, not since being gifted a penthouse. He also didn't like living in the palace, especially since he couldn't get much privacy. He sighed and stepped out of the Regalia, with that familiar anxiety attacking him once more. He stared at the towering palace, which he didn't exactly missed seeing. He liked his penthouse much better, just because he had privacy there. That's the thing teenage boys like him needs nowadays - can't have shy, pretty maids walking in on him jerking off.

"His Majesty missed you a lot," Ignis said, as Noctis frowned, not prepared for His Majesty's lecture, especially ones about him ignoring phone calls. "You look upset."

"Look, I don't want to talk," Noctis grumbled, clenching his fists. "Let's just get this over with. Then, I can go home."

"You are home. You'll rule the Citadel one day," Ignis smiled, chuckling when Noctis rolled his eyes. "you have precious memories here. You'll have more in the future, too."

"Are you done now?" Noctis asked, crossing his arms. "I'm getting tired of standing."

"Your attitude is something else," Ignis laughed, shaking his head. "What has gotten into you, Noctis?"

"Seriously? Can you stop with the shrink talk?" Noctis groaned, sighing in annoyance. "Honestly, I'm fine."

"Alright," Ignis chuckled, holding his hands up. "I'll back off for now. We don't want to keep His Majesty waiting, after all."

"Yeah … " Noctis scoffed, frowning. "Who would want to do that?"

"Well, I can think of someone," Ignis smirked, staring at Noctis from the corners of his eyes.

"I don't count. I'm his son."

"Oh, I see. You're now rubbing privilege into other people's faces."

"You know, I don't need you anymore. I can walk myself to my room."

"Don't be like that, Noctis! I was only teasing you. I don't understand why you get so worked up nowadays."

XOXO

Upon stomping through the hallways, Noctis soon arrived at his bedroom in the Citadel. He walked inside and found boxes everywhere, with his childhood clothes and toys packed inside. He plucked a toy robot from one box, which brought a small smile to his pale lips. He didn't exactly like his childhood, especially because of feeling constantly lonely. His father tried to be present, but he just couldn't. His father is the king of Lucis, not an ordinary man. It's why he doesn't blame his old man.

"His Majesty wants to remodel your bedroom," Ignis explained, flipping through a children's picture book. "You've grown, not exactly a child anymore."

"Yeah, I can tell," Noctis chuckled, tossing the toy robot into the box. "Is he going to donate my stuff?"

"No, His Majesty will store everything in the attic," Ignis said, receiving a confused stare from Noctis. "What's wrong?"

"Why?" Noctis asked, picking up an old teddy bear. "I mean, I don't need these things anymore."

"Oh, Noctis! You're His Majesty's only child. He will always see you as his child, too. He's protective of you, even your things as well," Ignis chuckled, leaning against the dresser. "Do you understand now?"

"Yeah, I guess I do," Noctis sighed, sitting down on top of his bed. "It feels so weird being back."

"You'll get used to it," Ignis comforted, crossing his arms together. "When your bedroom is remodeled, I'm sure you'll like it here."

"I mean, how can I not like getting walked in on, Ignis?" Noctis snickered, recalling those times when he had been interrupted in midst of self pleasure. "Yeah, I totally love making my maids blush bright red, even after the incident."

"That's right," Ignis shrugged, raising his eyebrow. "How can I forget? You're not allowed to lock doors."

"Yeah, I know. It's for my safety ."

"It is, Noctis! Assassins almost always target palaces. We must ensure you're protected at all times."

"Gods, I've heard that story so many times before."

"You must be tired. I'll leave you for now."

"Thanks … "

XOXO

When Ignis left him alone, Noctis continued looking around his bedroom. He found an antique doll laying on his bed, with cracks cutting through its glass skin. He frowned and touched the doll's blue eyes, which seemed so sad. His fingers brushed through the doll's golden locks, then. They felt so soft and silky in his grip, like they were real human hair. The doll's freckles glowed, too. It was an adorable doll overall, but he's not a child anymore.

"I can't believe how much toys you bought me," Noctis laughed, setting the doll down. "Damn, I guess I really was a spoiled brat."

"You still are," King Regis said, ruffling Noctis' dark locks. "But, I never got you that doll."

"That's weird," Noctis mumbled, poking the doll's freckled cheek. "Who did, then?"

"I believe you found it somewhere. I wanted you to get rid of it, but you got so attached to it instead. You even gave it a name," King Regis explained, brushing Noctis' bangs aside. "You need a haircut. Your eyes are always hidden."

"What did I name it?" Noctis asked, leaning more into his father's comforting touch. "And, I don't need a haircut."

"Oh, I don't know. It's been such a long time," King Regis admitted, pinching Noctis' cheek. "You do need a haircut. I'd love to see your eyes once in a while, but I won't force you."

"Dad!" Noctis cried out, swatting King Regis' hand away. "I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know, I know," King Regis chuckled, as Noctis pouted and rubbed his cheek. "Come on, son. Let's leave to the garden. The servants need space to finish remodeling your bedroom."

"Yeah," Noctis agreed, placing his doll into a box.

"So, Noctis, how is school going?"

"Dad, I don't want to talk about school!"

"But, I'd like to hear about your grades."

"I'm passing all of my classes, if that's what you want to know."

XOXO

After he had his dinner, Noctis returned to his bedroom. He saw that the boxes were all gone. His bedroom lacked anything of his childhood. It had been remodeled to suit the needs of a teenage boy now.

"Hey, I heard you're staying here for Spring Break," Gladio said, leaning against the threshold. "His Majesty must be so happy."

"Yeah, I am," Noctis sighed, inviting Gladio to join him on the balcony. "It's so weird being back, though."

"Is it really?" Gladio asked, playfully punching Noctis on the arm. "This is your home, Noct."

"I know it is. It just doesn't feel like a home," Noctis replied, frowning down at the Citadel's courtyard. "I mean, I'm constantly surrounded by people. I can never be alone here. There's no privacy."

"You're just saying that because you're an introvert," Gladio laughed, which made Noctis roll his eyes. "When you grow older, I'm sure your thoughts will change. You're just a stupid, silly teenager right now."

"Careful there, Gladio. You can't call your prince such names."

"I can call you whatever I want, spoiled brat."

XOXO

Even though he had fallen asleep, Noctis kept tossing and turning. A nightmare was spurring inside of his head, with haunting images of a deteriorated dollhouse. His eyes were clenched shut tightly, not daring to open anytime soon. His body was sweating, even jolting from time to time.

In his nightmare, Noctis was walking through a forest. He was barefoot, just dressed in his pajamas. He hugged himself, not exactly protecting him from the coldness. He soon arrived at a house, which was a ruined dollhouse. He still knocked on the front door, but didn't receive an answer.

"Hello?" Noctis asked, turning the doorknob slowly. "Is anyone here?"

"Can you hear me?" Noctis asked again, cautiously walking inside of the strange house. "Hello?"

Once inside of the living room, Noctis spotted someone standing in front of the dusty grand piano. He hesitantly approached the slender blonde young man, noticing that the teenager's shoulders were quivering. He sighed and reached out, nervously clasping the blonde's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Noctis questioned, as said sobbing stranger started slowly turning around. "Why are you crying?"

When the blonde completely faced him, Noctis' eyes widened and a gasp slipped out of his mouth. He released the stranger's shoulder, with his feet unconsciously taking steps backwards. He was so shocked and startled, especially by the cracks in the stranger's skin. They resemble glass breaking, which were perfectly cut into the blonde's freckled skin. They also made the blonde doll-like, even his old-fashioned clothes contributed to the doll-like demeanor.

"You promised you wouldn't forget!" the stranger screamed, baby blue eyes sparkling with tears. "You promised me, Noctis! How could you, then? How could you forget about me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Noctis objected, backing away from the sobbing young man. "I don't even know who you are."

"Exactly!" the stranger snapped, pale hands balling into fists. "That's my point. You don't know who I am anymore. You've forgotten about me!"

"I think there's a misunderstanding. You're probably mistaking me for someone else."

"No, I'm not, Your Highness!"

Just then, Noctis heard loud footsteps echoing from upstairs. He saw the blonde's baby blue eyes widen in fear, even the teardrops stopped streaming down his freckled cheeks.

"You need to leave right now."

"What? But, why?"

"I don't have time to explain. You need to leave. My … father is not a kind man."

"Wait … "

"Just go, Noctis! If you want to save me, then keep your promise and remember me."

XOXO

When he had awoken, Noctis sat straight up in bed with a gasp. He was sweaty and struggling to breathe, especially because his nightmare felt so real. He felt like he knew that beautiful blonde, but he just couldn't remember from where. He groaned and crawled out of bed, not wanting to trying to sleep again. He walked towards the balcony, then.

"Yuck!" Noctis frowned, threading through his damp locks. "I feel gross."

"Fuck it!" Noctis sighed, stripping out of his pajamas. "I'm going to take a shower again."

A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.