Chapter 9

When Noctis opened his eyes he knew there were several things different. One he wasn't in his room anymore, this room was too barren and beige. Secondly he had an oxygen mask, the one that sticks up into the nose, and he could hear a steady beeping in the background.

That initially brought him to worrying, all of his thoughts jumbling together. He was clearly in a hospital and that could have only meant one thing. He feared that he had been brought in and they had done the surgery without his consent. But after a moment of thinking that he realized he could still remember that he had the disease and that he still loved Prompto.

"So they haven't done the surgery… but they might soon…" Noctis thought to himself. "Shit… and Prompto probably is worrying and waiting to see me and…" Noctis stopped his thoughts when he heard someone else groan. Turning his head to the side he finally took in what else the room had to offer, and it honestly surprised him that he didn't notice this first.

Prompto was also in a hospital bed, hooked to IVs and an oxygen mask just like he was. His bed was even right next to Noctis's. Like pushed up right next to his and he could just roll over onto Prompto's bed if he really wanted to.

"Prompto?" Noctis asked, his voice sounding weak but at least he was actually able to breath a bit better now.

Prompto's eyes fluttered open. "N… Noct? What happened? Why are…" Looking around the room Prompto's eyes grew wide. His chest started to rise and fall fairly quickly. "Wait wait hold on! Why are we-"

Noctis watched Prompto place a hand over his heart. He turned to start at Noctis with wide eyes and slowly he started to relax. He breathed out as long as he could, trying to calm himself down. It made Noctis wonder if he was having those same first thoughts he did wondering if the Hanahaki had already been removed without consent.

But now the two of them were staring at each other, waiting for the other to speak. Noctis knew he wouldn't be able to take it much longer so he just spoke what was on his mind.

"How long did you have the Hanahaki?!"

"Why do you have the Hanahaki?!"

Noctis gasped, confused with Prompto speaking at the same time as he was. Prompto seemed equally confused, and the two went on staring at each other for a moment longer. There were too many questions raking up in Noctis's brain and he knew he couldn't hold it back much longer.

"Why didn't you tell me you had it?" Noctis finally asked.

"Well why didn't you tell me that you had it! It couldn't have just started for you out of the blue," Prompto replied.

"The same goes to you then. You know you could have told me you had it."

Prompto scoffed. "And what's your reason then why you couldn't tell me? Don't you trust me enough?"

Noctis tried his hardest not to scowl. "You didn't tell me! So how can you blame me for being quiet about it!"

Prompto winced and Noctis immediately felt bad afterwards. He never had yelled at Prompto before. "Ah I'm sorry… I shouldn't have yelled. It's just… you know this disease isn't something to ignore. You shouldn't keep hurting yourself though, whomever isn't returning your love isn't worth your while or your life."

Prompto rolled his eyes, still looking a bit hurt. "You're still one to talk. You think telling me that doesn't mean the same thing for you? If I shouldn't keep hurting myself with unrequited love then why are you?"

"That's because I… I um…" Noctis trailed off, only able to finish his thoughts in his head. "Because I love you and your worth more than my life."

It was what he wished he could say, but he knew he couldn't. He knew for sure now he couldn't since he now knew Prompto already was pining for someone else. It was just as he had expected, and saying the truth would just make it worse. He could already tell the tension was tight between them now since the both had lied, and Noctis didn't want to leave their friendship rocky.

"I'm sorry Prompto… I know I could have told you, but I just didn't. I didn't need you to worry about me. I'm guessing," Noctis sighed slightly. "That you were feeling the same?"

Prompto closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah… didn't want you to worry so much about little old me. I'm not really worth your time that much."

"What?! Are you kidding! You are worth so much more to me than that!" Noctis reached over and held Prompto's hand. "You're my best friend Prompto and I don't want anything to happen to you."

Prompto's eyes started to water and he went to wipe them with his other hand. "Thanks Noct, that means a lot. But there's nothing you can do. I don't want the surgery. If it means forgetting…" Prompto stopped for a moment, biting his cheek. "If I have to forget the person who I have feelings for, I won't do it. I'm not giving that up."

He had the same determination that Noctis had. Both of them were refusing to give up the love they had. But that still worried Noctis, he already was suffering himself and now he knew Prompto was going through the same thing. He honestly hated that Prompto was putting himself into such a position, even if he was doing the same thing.

"Prompto…"

"Don't you try to talk me out of it. If anything I should talk you out of not going for surgery. You're the prince of an entire kingdom! You'd really just give all of that up just for someone who doesn't love you back?"

"I'd give up anything for you," Noctis thought to himself. He wished so badly he could speak what was on his mind, but the thoughts stayed in his head, echoing quietly to himself. "You're the center of my entire world and without you there I'm lost."

He knew he had to give some answer though even if Prompto wouldn't understand. "I just can't give it up. I don't care if they don't love me back, I just want to hold what makes me happy."

The door to the room opened before Prompto could finish and Ignis walked in brisky. Noctis was a little shocked to see him for his hair was unkempt and messy, showing he had yet to even brush it. Even his shirt wasn't properly tucked in, and it looked fairly wrinkled too. It looked like he hadn't had any good sleep recently, either that or he hadn't had any Ebony in a while.

He stood between the two beds and stared down at the two. "I hope you two are faring better today, you gave me quite a scare when I arrived at your apartment."

"Wait today? How long were we out?" Noctis asked.

"Just for the night," Ignis answered. "During the time that you both were unconscious they did take the time to do x-rays on your situations. Thankfully you both are in early stages of the Hanahaki Disease so we could hold off on a surgery. But the doctors say it is better to act on it sooner than later."

"You're not… going to force us to get it, are you?" Prompto asked softly.

Ignis pushed his glasses up. "No I will not force you, that wouldn't be fair. I take into consideration your feelings first, and honestly the two of you are complete and utter idiots."

"Huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

Ignis sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. "I swear to the Astrals, if you two weren't already in the hospital I would slap you so hard that you would be. You two are worse than the characters in Gladio's novels that he reads."

"What are you talking about, Ignis?" Noctis asked. "What does both of us having the Hanahaki Disease have to do with Gladio's cheesy romance books?"

Ignis stared long and hard at Noctis, as if that somehow would give him any answer. Eventually he closed his eyes and let out yet another sigh. "It is clear that the two of you are far too deep in your own self doubt to see just who it is the other is pining for."

Noctis's eyes widened. "What does Ignis mean by that… I'm too lost in my own doubt to see who Prompto is in love with? Should it be obvious?"

Turning to look over at Prompto he found Prompto already staring him, his eyes just as wide. Noctis stared for a moment longer, trying to put together all the pieces that he was clearly missing. He stared into those beautiful blue eyes with the slight purple tint, almost getting lost there for a second.

It only took him a few moments to notice that Prompto was staring at him just the same. He was staring but he was zoning out way too quickly. There was something soft and gentle in his expression, something that Noctis thought was quite adorable.

Then it seemed like everything clicked into place, and all Noctis could do was mutter one soft word.

"Oh."