Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 8

Noctis sat up, gasping and shaking as he struggled to wake up fully. He hadn't had a nightmare that bad in years. He got up and stumbled into the bathroom to splash his face with cold water. As he'd gotten older the dreams of that night had lessened so why one now? He shuddered and leant on the counter as he remembered the howls, the feeling of sharp claws ripping into his guards…into his own flesh…the triumphant calls of the Marilith as she cut others down. He left the bathroom but didn't head back to bed, wandering out into the living room to flop on the couch, glad there was no school tomorrow…well later that morning actually. He stretched out, hand hanging off the edge, fingers brushing the carpet and then he frowned. He got off the couch and buried his face in the carpet, mouth open to pull in as much scent as he could….the same scent from his nightmare.

No…there was no way! He'd smelt the carpet earlier and his nightmare had just twisted things up in his head, that was all. Prompto wasn't a werewolf, he couldn't be. Werewolves weren't allowed, even as kids. Besides, werewolves didn't get sick and Prompto did. Right? He hesitated but then grabbed his phone and looked at the dates Prompto had missed school, checking when the full moon had been as well. He'd been sick for every full moon, even the ones on weekends he'd missed school days before and after. The rest of the sick days were totally random so maybe he was seeing a pattern that didn't exist. What kind of crazy person would send their werewolf son to Insomnia? Though…the Empire used werewolves…so maybe to keep him safe from them? No! He was jumping at nothing.

Prompto was his friend, the only one he had ever made himself. He was a bit shy, nervous around others, but so were lots of people. He wasn't aggressive or anything else he'd heard wolves were. His lack of real scent was weird, though as his carpet proved, he did have one, kind of like…like when the Glaive or Guard were deployed and used scent killing soaps and such.

Noctis groaned and pressed his hands to his eyes, shaking his head. No! It wasn't possible. Prompto could not be a werewolf. Oh, he knew they weren't all evil monsters, there were a pack or two that lived in Lucis after all, but they were natural enemies and the two did not mix. Prompto could not be that good of an actor. Unless…he'd been sent to Insomnia but why? To spy? Everyone knew the Empire had human spies within the city, just like they had human spies in Gralea, sending a wolf in would be crazy. Unless he was sent to do more than spy…

Noctis forced himself of the couch and out onto the balcony, staring out at the city lit up for the night, able to hear and smell the many people and vampires who were below, going about their business. He hated that he was even considering it but…he'd been taught not to ignore any danger signs. As much as he loathed it, and while he'd passed the background check satisfactorily enough to be allowed in the apartment and to have Noct's number, there were still major holes in Prompto's past. They could be explained by Tenebrae's precarious situation, but they could also be because it was a fake id and no created background was ever fool proof. It was something the Empire could easily provide. Always being sick on the full moon was a bad sign too, but where would a wolf be able to change in the city without being caught while hunting?

He was going in circles and he knew it. Prompto was either human or a werewolf. If he was a wolf then what should he do? Confront him? A werewolf in human form was little danger to any vampire, let alone one of his line. Tell someone and risk being wrong, wrecking their friendship and possibly his life? If he kept quiet and Prompto really was a wolf, an Imperial…how many lives would he be endangering? How could such a great afternoon lead to such a horrible night?

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Ignis let himself into the apartment and stared in shock at the sight of Noctis up and doing homework at, he glanced at his watch, 9am. Was the world ending?

"You can stop staring," Noctis grumbled, sounding worn out.

"Noct?" Ignis walked over and checked his forehead, no sign of fever, not that vampires were prone to such ailments, but it was possible. There were some illnesses that they could contract and certain injuries cold also cause fevers as the body tried to heal.

"Nightmare," Noctis muttered and grabbed his mug to sip.

Well, that explained things. "Perhaps you should return to bed then," he offered, there was nothing pressing on for the day. It had been some time since Noctis had a nightmare bad enough to keep him from sleeping and he did wonder what could have set it off, but he wouldn't push.

"Prompto got home okay?"

"I dropped him off in his driveway," Ignis assured him, used to the routine of Noctis needing to ask where everyone was after those nightmares. "Gladio is at home with Iris and your Father is in meetings all day. Everyone is well." He ran gloved fingers through fine black hair and Noctis pressed into the comforting touch.

"Sorry," he mumbled and Ignis smiled. "So, what's Prompto's place like?"

"Nosy," Ignis teased. "A rather standard small family home, two stories, though the colour is interesting as it is an odd blue/green. A fair distance from the school, I assume he catches a bus or train for part of the journey. Well maintained despite his parents frequent absences. What one would term as firmly middle class."

Noctis nodded as he packed away his homework, finish his blood before heading back to bed and Ignis watched him go in concern. Something was obviously bothering him but what? It seemed to be more than just the nightmare. He'd give him a day or two before pushing more.

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Noctis took a seat at the small eating area, keeping an eye out for the familiar shock of blonde hair. He'd called Prompto to ask him to meet up at the arcade and now he was wondering if he'd done the right thing. They would be surrounded by other people though so it should be safe. He knew he had to get his emotions under control, a human wouldn't pick up on them, but a wolf would. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down.

"Everything okay?" he nearly jumped at Prompto's voice, only then realising he could hear his familiar heartbeat. Everyone had a slightly different beat which helped identify them even more to a vampire and apparently he was used to Prompto's enough that he didn't automatically react to his coming close.

"Yeah, had trouble sleeping," he shrugged and Prompto frowned.

"Shouldn't you be home sleeping then?" he asked in concern.

"I had a nap earlier," he promised.

"Alright, but if I beat you at the games, no blaming lack of sleep," Prompto teased with a big grin and Noctis found himself smiling back. He met bright blue eyes, picking out hints of purple in the colour, something he'd never seen before in anyone else. He could see no signs of deceit at all in the blondes open expression, surely if he was a wolf there'd be something? "Whatcha want to play first?"

Noctis stood and they headed off to the game section where they were soon having fun playing and Noctis was able to push his suspicions aside. Prompto was so cheerful, even when he lost, laughing and just having fun. Though he avoided physical contact with anyone as much as he could, it wasn't like he was contagious, so why? Scent transfer? When it came time to eat, Prompto ordered healthy but he also put away a good amount considering how thin he was, though that alone didn't mean much, some people could eat a lot without gaining any weight.

They played for a while more before leaving to walk the streets, Prompto occasionally taking a photo of anything that caught his eye…or gathering intelligence? He kept an eye on what he took photos of, relaxing as he did, they were just photos, often of animals or plants. He was being paranoid, and he detested thinking such things.

"Are you okay?" Prompto asked and Noctis looked up at him in surprise. "If you want to go home and get more sleep it's fine."

Ignis was busy with meetings, Gladio was spending time with his family… "Want to come over?"

"To watch you sleep?" Prompto snickered and Noctis rolled his eyes.

"Watch a movie or something?"

Prompto looked him over and Noctis made sure he looked alert. "Okay, but not too long."

They walked down the street, making their way towards his building where Noctis let them in and they went up to his apartment, kicking their shoes off. "Grab some snacks and I'll set up."

"Okay."

Noctis went and picked out a movie he figured Prompto would like since it had been based off one of the games they both liked. He set it up and got the couch comfortable when he heard a yelp from the kitchen. "Prom?" He called in alarm, he could smell something odd and he rushed in at top speed to find Prompto sucking on his finger. "Are you okay?" he glanced around, saw a knife on the floor but no sign of blood….a silver knife. Prompto turned to the sink, turning the cold tap on to shove his finger under the spray.

"It's nothing, I slipped, sorry," he babbled.

Noctis just stared, reeling, trying to act normally. It was true…Prompto was…he… he moved forward and picked up the knife, the finally bit of proof. Prompto was a werewolf…he was obviously using something to supress his scent…he was nothing like what he had thought a werewolf would be like. Was it the real Prompto or an excellent act? He knew what the smell he'd caught was, burning flesh. "No harm," he managed to say, picking up the knife to put in the dishwasher. "Sure you're okay?" he asked and watched as Prompto pulled his hand out from the water, showing a red mark.

"Caught my finger in the drawer," he lied, and maybe if he hadn't already been suspicious he would have bought it.

He felt a surge of rage at having been fooled so well, the urge to attack, to pin him against the counter and sink fangs into vulnerable flesh and drain him dry, and then Prompto looked up at him, a flicker of fear in his eyes, and the urge passed. "I'll finish up in here, you need some ice?"

"It's fine," Prompto denied and he shooed the blonde into the living room.

He grabbed the food and joined him there, noticing Prompto was sitting on the floor again but not in the exact same spot. He settled on the couch and started he movie, watching Prompto from the corner of his eye as the movie played, he rubbed at his finger occasionally, relaxing as the movie went on. Noctis blinked in surprise when he realised Prompto had actually nodded off, he hadn't been tired before…was it a reaction to the silver? Could such a small amount cause such a strong reaction? "Prom?" he called softly and Prompto shifted but didn't wake. He grabbed the throw off the back of the couch and draped it over him, checking the time. With Ignis out he didn't want Prompto catching a bus or train alone late at night.

He blinked as he realised he had no plans to turn Prompto in. He moved ever so slowly closer so that his face was near the join of shoulder and neck. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, mouth open to help get as much information as he could and…there! Barely detectable though enough to have his fangs itching to extend and the desire to bite grow, the scent of wolf. There was also the hint of human male and female vampire…his adoptive parents, so that part of his background was right. The strongest scents were from the day in the arcade and wandering around. He was definitely using something really strong to hide his own scent. Beyond the scent of his nature, his own scent was nice; fresh snow, trees, and salt water. An odd combination but snow and trees had him thinking he was from Niflheim and not Tenebrae and he still didn't want to turn him in anymore.

He had been taught to trust his instincts, guided by his heritage and the Crystal. He watched Prompto sleep and he didn't see a threat, he just hoped he was right. Noctis reached out with his hand and gently ran it through blonde hair, hearing the soft whine and the press against his hand, even in his sleep, unable to help smiling at the reaction, but it was also dangerous since the sound was distinctly animalistic. He couldn't tell anyone or let them find out, not even Ignis and Gladio, he would do everything he could to help protect his secret…without telling Prompto he knew. He wanted Prom to trust him enough to tell him himself, even if that meant waiting years. He could be patient about this, he could. Hopefully.

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There had been a shift and he wasn't sure why but…it felt nice. Something had changed in the last few weeks between them, but he liked it. Noctis was always at his side at school, keeping others away, protecting him. His wolf liked it, so much he'd had to catch himself a few times from dropping his eyes or baring his throat…like he would to a pack leader. Huh. Well, he could do a lot worse than Noct for a leader. Noctis was nothing like the scientists or trainers at the facility.

It was made weirder by the fact that he still had to fight down automatic reactions sometimes when Noct moved too fast, or his eyes would glow sometimes when he got excited by a game or hadn't drunk enough that day. The conflicting instinct that said enemy and pack leader sometimes led to him having to call off whatever they were doing, but other than showing concern for him, Noctis never said anything. Sometimes he wondered if….not it was impossible, if Noctis even suspected the truth he'd have been arrested or something by now.

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Sara watched Prompto as he did his homework. She didn't know what to think about what he'd admitted. The medications and various products were good, but this was the Prince! She was shocked the paperwork had held up to Royal inspection. The idea of their son being around the Prince and his retainers terrified her, he was risking so much, but….how could they deny him the obviously strong friendship?

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Ignis watched Noctis and Prompto as they did their homework. Something had changed in the last month and he was unsure what but Noctis had become very territorial and protective when it came to Prompto, though the boy didn't appear to have noticed. It had started…after Prompto's first visit to the apartment. Had something happened after he left? But what?

The more he saw of Prompto the more he approved of their friendship. He was a good influence on Noctis, keeping his grades up despite his frequent absences and always happy to text even when he was sick. The boy never asked for anything, just happy to spend time with Noctis, unlike anyone else Noct had tried to befriend over the years.

Prompto seemed comfortable enough with his presence too, although he did shy away at times, not surprising if the younger boy had not socialised much at all before beginning school but he thought they could introduce him to Gladio soon, after giving the Shield strict warning on how to treat the nervous boy.

TBC…