In the darkness of a room, one lone figure played pool. He would take shot after shot, knocking each pool ball in, one after another. He was almost down to the last few balls when the door creaked open.
He lifted his head, staring at the figure that was stepping into the room. "Ah! I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time, but I wanted to-"
"I've seen the headlines," the deep-voiced man bellowed. "And I would say I am far from pleased."
"Oh please, don't fret so much. This was our first real test of this kind of thing, so it makes sense if there are a few, little kinks we gotta work out."
"Our special friend has been imprisoned, and was defeated far quicker than expected. I'd say that's more than a little kink," he grunted as he shot the next pool ball into a hole.
"He's the Tenebraen prince, he won't be held there long. Besides, they won't be able to figure anything out with the arm. Our technicians made sure of that. To the blind eye, it is nothing more than a prosthetic that generates electricity."
"I want more results."
"Of course! You're the Big Man, and you know I wouldn't do anything to upset you."
The Big Man grunted, pointing his pool stick towards the other man. "Your type isn't the most trustworthy."
The man held up his hands. "Whoa hey! Come on now, let's not get hasty. Besides, you like the untrustworthy type. You like those who can be good at snooping around, being sleazy and everything."
"Exactly why I never trust. But you are useful, and your results have proven to be somewhat beneficial. Even if the prince was captured, the heroes were quick to counter him. They are willing to do what they can to protect their precious city."
"Then we just have to keep trying and stepping up our game. I know you have more ideas planned for them, we just need some willing participants."
"Then I leave you to find them. And you are to make sure our prince is returned to us by the end of the week."
"No problem," the man chuckled. "I got it all covered! I got my interview set up with our little prince for later this evening. You'll see him back here before you know it."
The Big Man hummed deeply before he shot the last pool ball into the hole. "I should hope so, we must proceed with the plans."
The day after the questioning with Ravus, Ignis stepped into Noctis's room. He found the young prince lumped up in his bed, buried under his covers and pillows. He walked over to the dresser and saw the breakfast tray untouched from the morning.
"Noctis," Ignis said as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright? You've cooped yourself up in your room all morning. You've ignored your breakfast and it's already lunch time."
"Not hungry…" Noctis mumbled from under his pillow.
"And why would that be? Are you sick? Please, let me check your temperature."
"I'm not sick. I'm just not hungry."
Ignis sighed. "If you aren't sick, then what is the issue? What has caused you to mope around since you returned last night?"
Noctis moaned, shifting so he faced away from Ignis. It was clear he was going to be stubborn, but Ignis wasn't one to back down. He was Noctis's advisor, and to leave him in such a state would go against everything he was taught and stood for.
Gently, he started to pull back on the covers. "Talk to me, Noctis. Perhaps if you tell me what's wrong, I can help whatever it is that's troubling you."
There was a moment of silence, before there was a softer mumble.
"What was that? I couldn't quite make that out," Ignis said, attempting to take away the pillow from Noctis's face.
Before he could, Noctis threw it off, sending it flying to the wall across from him. "I kissed Spider-Man yesterday!"
Ignis was surprised by the statement, his eyes widening a little. "I beg your pardon?"
"I kiss Spider-Man," Noctis repeated, rolling on to his bed.
"And tell me what led to this?"
"I… I don't know. I just… I've spent a lot of time hanging out with Spider-Man lately. More so than I have with Prompto I think. And getting to know him, he's a really fun guy. I thought maybe I could just see what would happen if I was a bit more… open. I didn't actually expect to end up kissing him."
"And he was receptive? I would hope you didn't act impulsively."
Noctis groaned, grabbing for one of his other pillows to place over his face. "Of course not, Ignis! I was considerate and asked him, but I wasn't expecting him to agree to it."
"So I assume your reason to mope around isn't because you actually had a kiss, but instead about how you feel towards Prompto?" Ignis inquired.
"Of course it is! You know I have a crush on Prompto! But somehow I ended up having a crush on Spider-Man too! Oh! And don't tell Gladio! He'll never let me live it down!"
Ignis hummed, thinking everything over. "So you've discovered how Spider-Man feels, but you still haven't figured how Prompto may feel."
"I told you I just can't do that… I can't face that kind of rejection. Or if he feels the same, I can't put him at risk with me being the prince."
"Noctis, you can't keep using that as an excuse. If that was the case, then your father would have never fallen in love with your mother."
Noctis knew what Ignis was saying was the truth. He was always right about whatever he had to say, but it still didn't help Noctis feel any better. "But I'm different. I'm a guy, Prompto's a guy! And how many people really want that in their next king?"
Ignis reached out and placed a hand on Noctis's shoulder. "You never know how the people may be. Some will always oppose, but there will be many who are accepting of who you are."
"Even Prompto?" Noctis asked, peeking out from his pillow.
"Prompto is a good soul. No matter how he may feel about you, he will stand by your side and support you."
Noctis sat up, getting himself into a position where he could rest his arms on his knees. "But what about Spider-Man?"
"That is something else. It is good to know that he was receptive of your feelings, but you should know pursuing a romance with another superhero poses its own risks just as much as it would if you were to date Prompto."
Noctis groaned. He knew Ignis would say that. He knew it was true, he just really didn't want to have to think about the complications of everything. He wanted to go right back to sleeping away the day, pretending he wasn't just a hopeless romantic, secretly wishing that he had someone to love.
"But what can I do, Ignis? I need to know what I should do!"
"I can't tell you how to act upon your love life or the interests that you have in it. I can't tell you who to love or what to say to the other. Both sides of your lifes have risks to them, but if you can find happiness one way or another, I will help however I can."
"Some help you are," Noctis muttered.
As soon as the words left, Noctis knew he had gone too far. He could see the angry glare in Ignis's eyes. "I will not have you saying such things. I do as much as I can for you, but I cannot help you control love. I can help, and I can offer advice, but I simply cannot give you answers that would solve everything."
Regret settled in Noctis's stomach. He ducked his head, tempted to lay back down and pull the covers back over his head. "Sorry… I'm just so mixed right now. A lot of thoughts in my head."
"And I am sure you will sort it out, but give it time. This is something you must do on your own, since they are your own feelings. But on the other hand, you did enjoy your brief kiss, yes?" Ignis asked. Noctis could have sworn there was a hint of teasing in there. He wasn't as bad as Gladio, but he could get pretty close.
Noctis blushed. "Yeah I did. A bit unconventional though."
Ignis raised an eyebrow. "Unconventional?"
"Well… you know how Spider-Man does that Spider-Man thing? Hanging by a web and sometimes upside down?"
"I believe I've seen footage of him doing such a feat."
"So, uh, yeah… We kissed when he was like that."
Ignis chuckled softly. "That is quite a unique kiss."
"Just don't tell Gladio! I don't think I can handle that yet."
Ignis stood up from the bed, pulling out his phone to make a note of something. "If it makes it any easier for you, I can rearrange for Cor to train with you today instead of Gladio. He's not the type to pry on such things."
"Please?" Noctis begs.
"I'll have to check with Cor first, but I am sure we can make things work. I'll text you later with the results. Now please eat your food and I'll bring you more if you are still hungry," Ignis said, heading towards the door.
"Thanks Iggy," Noctis said as he reached for the tray. "Really… thank you."
"Of course, Noct," Ignis replied before he left.
Now that he was left alone, Noctis ate his food quietly. He pulled out his phone and started reading the messages that Prompto had been sending throughout the day.
Chocoboy: I know your slepeing but good morning! I'm up and ready for a run.
Chocoboy: Maybe I can get a good sunrise pic for ya!
Chocoboy: Still sleeping bro?
Chocoboy: I figure you may. It's Sunday after all.
Chocoboy: Just don't fall asleep forever lolol
Chocoboy: You ever just sit down and have weird thoughts?
Chocoboy: Nrm
Chocoboy: Just being weird and thinking to much haha
Chocoboy: Forget about it. Just stupid thoughts anyways.
Chocoboy: I'm just so bored sometimes y'know?
Chocoboy: But I can't make things go faster for you. Just gotta keep hoping.
After that there hadn't been any messages for the last half hour. Prompto probably had gotten busy with something, or was working on homework at the last minute.
FishPrince: Sorry about that.
FishPrince: Guess I just felt like sleeping in.
FishPrince: Hope you haven't been too bored.
FishPrince: We can game today if you want.
Since Prompto didn't reply within a minute, Noctis started checking other apps. He was looking for something to play idly while he ate his food when he saw his King's Knight app. It reminded him of what he had said to Spider-Man a little while ago.
"If I wanted to make a new account do I have to get rid of my old one? Or can I create a second account? Never considered that. I mean, I could try and see. There's gotta be a way without having to delete the old or getting a new phone entirely."
Thankfully, Noctis looked into the app and saw that it was possible to make multiple accounts, probably if anyone ever wanted to be a different weapon class. He quickly made a new account, though he still stuck with his same class as before. After he set up everything needed, choosing the game name of Nightbird423, he closed the app and reached for his pager.
He held it in his hands, wondering if Spider-Man was even available to talk. He had only given him the pager to communicate about crimes or other related instances. He hadn't said it was for casual chatter, and calling Spider-Man up just to talk about King's Knight definitely wasn't close to anything crime related.
Sighing, Noctis got up from his bed, beginning to pace around his room. There were too many thoughts that bounced around in his head, with so many of them being about Spider-Man. The mere thought of him brought back the memory of the kiss and his chest started feeling bubbly.
In that short moment that they shared together, Noctis felt so relaxed, like a calming wave had washed over him. He had been open about his feelings, and in that moment he hadn't been afraid. Maybe he was a little bit afraid, but for some reason, talking to Spider-Man made him feel calm.
In that moment that led up to the kiss, he knew he could trust Spider-Man. There was just something about him that made Noctis want to be around him more. It was comforting to listen to him talk, hearing his silly jokes or quips. Noctis found himself wanting more of it.
But there was still Prompto… and Noctis knew he still loved him dearly.
"Ignis said he couldn't help me find the answers. It's something I have to figure out on my own…"
Stopping by his window, Noctis stared outside, watching the beautiful clear skies. He waited, looking at the tops of the buildings in hopes he could see Spider-Man, but at that moment there was nothing. All he saw was a city having a few moments of peace and quiet, not knowing when the next crime could happen.
He turned away and walked back to his bed to finish eating his food. More thoughts came to him as he sat there, soaking everything in. He knew within the next few days, he would be cleared to go back to school. It would be long enough for the public to believe that the prince would be safe out in public once again.
"Maybe when I see Prompto again, I'll see how I feel. Maybe I can figure out and sort out my feelings if I see him again… I hope."