Chapter 5
The petals had become more frequent. Every time Noctis started wheezing and coughing, it lasted for longer and more and more petals fluttered out. It got to the point where he was shaking afterwards, his entire body trembling from hacking so much he could barely get in a breath.
He still had managed to hide it though after all of these weeks. Everytime the flowers were forced up he would burn them away right away, leaving no trace of them anywhere. If they were out of sight then they could be out of mind, at least until he started another fit.
While he feared Ignis or Gladio finding out the truth, he was still most afraid of Prompto finding out. There had been so many close calls now and he wasn't too sure how much longer he could keep it up. Sooner or later he was going to cough in front of Prompto again and not have the time to run away to a safe place.
Prompto was growing concerned, starting to ask if this was really more than a seasonal allergy. He was still such a good friend who, always looking out for Noctis. He knew that this was going to hurt him in the end, his best friend dying would leave a long lasting scar. But Noctis knew he had to be better than forcing him to feel guilty.
Noctis wrapped his arms around himself, attempting to stop his body from trembling. Honestly as much as he was willing to put up with this, he was terrified. He knew what was going to happen as the flowers grew. Sooner or later he would probably be coughing up an entire rose. He felt sick even just thinking about it.
"Come on… focus on something better…" Noctis told himself as he closed his eyes.
His mind of course drifted right to Prompto. He imagined all of the 'what if' moments he wished he could have had. Wanting to hold Prompto's hand with one hand and have the other run through his soft hair. He had ruffled Prompto's hair before yeah, but it was soft to the touch and Noctis wanted to just sit there, relaxing himself in the motion.
He wished he could snuggle up to Prompto as the nights grew cold. Both of them wrapped around each other trying to keep warm. He wished so badly he could wrap his arms around Prompto and listen to his heartbeat.
There was so much he desired for but he knew it would never happen. He was only drowning himself in further disappointment knowing his love was only one sided. Prompto was just not that kind of guy. He couldn't be what Noctis wished no matter how hard he tried. All he could do was be alone in his little world, lost in the fantasy of loving someone who could never love him back.
Now we have our Noctis insight again. The poor boy is suffering so badly. But I wonder how Prompto is doing. Find out next week!