Warning: Noctis/Prompto.
Chapter Two
Once he had hugged his parents, Prompto squealed and scurried towards Ignis. He's so excited about moving into the Citadel. He couldn't sleep at all last night, just kept listening to the ticking of his clock in anticipation of tonight. He giggled and greeted Ignis, with wide bright blue eyes and smile. The brunet laughed and grabbed his shoulder, which made him feel somewhat special, not that he already felt special.
"Are you ready to leave?" Ignis asked, smiling at his parents, who were quite nervous, not that he understood why. "Did you say goodbye to them?"
"Of course, I did!" Prompto said, looking at Ignis' car, which made him squeal again. "Wow! You've got a super nice ride."
"It's not my car," Ignis corrected, chuckling at Prompto's starstruck eyes. "The Regalia belongs to the Citadel."
"She has a name," Prompto sighed, circling the Regalia, with his camera. "She's so beautiful … Sorry, I just love cars."
"It's fine, Prompto. What boy isn't like you with cars?" Ignis chuckled, opening the passenger door for the blonde. "Let's get going. Shall we?"
"Totally!" Prompto cheered, sitting down in the passenger seat. "Hey, I didn't realize before, but you're such a night owl. I mean, we're always meeting up at night."
"I just work better at night. The Citadel is too noisy in the morning. There's so much people always coming and going. It creates a lot of ruckus," Ignis explained, tightening his gloved fingers around the steering wheel. "I'm sorry if it inconveniences you."
"It's no big deal," Prompto reassured, laughing and looking out of the window. "These two days I haven't been feeling tired. I'm so excited about going to the Citadel."
"I should've known," Ignis smiled, relaxing his tense gloved fingers. "We'll be there shortly."
"Oh my gosh! You shouldn't have said," Prompto gushed, balling his hands into fists. "I can hardly sit still now. Drive faster, Iggy."
XOXO
After arriving at the Citadel, Prompto quickly jumps out of his seat. He stares in awe at the Citadel, with his camera snapping away. He hears Ignis chuckle beside him, but he doesn't react and continues photographing the Citadel. He wanted to photograph everything, especially his journey at the University of Lucis and the Citadel. His pictures are as if souvenirs, which allows him to relive good memories again.
"Let us go inside now," Ignis said, guiding him towards the stairs. "There are some rules I'd like to go over. It is customary for special guests, like you."
"Sure, I understand," Prompto said, following behind Ignis. "The Citadel is well kept."
"Why wouldn't it be?" Ignis asked, green eyes twinkling. "A lot of important meetings still happen here."
"Yeah, I know. But, I just thought the Citadel would shut down, especially after abolishing monarchy in Lucis. I thought it would become a museum or something," Prompto explained, laughing and scratching the back of his head. "It's just so beautiful, though. It contains a lot of history, too. I guess that's why it's so well kept."
"Maybe," Ignis chuckled, as palace guards opened the double doors for Prompto and him. "Welcome to the Citadel, Prompto."
When he had stepped inside of the Citadel, Prompto stared in awe at the throne. His lips parting open at the throne, which sat empty, especially because Lucis doesn't have heirs for it anymore. He raised his camera, then. He couldn't wait to take so many pictures, not caring about meeting people, but only about just filling all of his memory cards up.
"It's so big!" Prompto exclaimed, not noticing Ignis raising an eyebrow, with a slight snicker. "Wow! I wish I could have seen someone sitting in it. They would look so majestic and powerful."
"You're right about that," Ignis agreed, showing him paintings of former kings and queens. "This one is a painting of King Regis."
"Whoa … He's so handsome," Prompto muttered, before blushing and back tracking his words. "I mean, for an old man! I don't mean to call His Majesty an old man, though! … Oh my gosh … I'm so sorry … "
In the distance, Prompto could hear guards laughing underneath their breath. He bit his lower lip and stared at Ignis, then. The brunet man was smiling in amusement at him, like he had been just incredibly entertained by his humiliation.
"It's fine, Prompto. A lot of people compliment His Majesty's looks," Ignis reassured, wishing a certain someone heard Prompto complimenting their father. "Come on, I'll show you to your bedroom now. Your belongs has already been brought up."
"Ok … " Prompto mumbled, rubbing his arm, not caring about the still laughing guards. " … It looks like some paintings have been removed. Why?"
"We're in a process of remodeling," Ignis answered, leading Prompto down dimly lit hallways.
"Will I see those paintings again?" Prompto asked, wanting to take pictures of everything, after all.
"I'm not so sure you will," Ignis smirked, green eyes shining in the darkness.
"Why not?" Prompto questioned, tilting his head in confusion. "Are they of someone super important?"
"Those paintings are very important. That's why we can't have them around anymore," Ignis admitted, stopping at a room. "This is your bedroom. We'll be having dinner shortly. I'll come and get you. In the meantime, I think you should get comfortable."
"Thanks," Prompto said, stepping inside of his bedroom and gasping. "Wow!"
XOXO
Upon entering his bedroom, Prompto squealed and flopped down onto his bed. It's so soft and plush, not like his old mattress at all. The bedsheets are just as soft, too. He smiles and starts jumping, like a child does. He is sort of childish, though. He can't help it, especially when he sees Eos through rose colored glasses. He's an optimistic person, just filled with happiness, which spills out of him through his personality and interactions with people.
"I can get so used to this," Prompto admits, getting up and walking to the closet. "It's a walk-in closet! I've always wanted one of these."
Once he had entered it, Prompto found his clothes neatly folded or hanged. He also finds clothes that aren't his, but oddly in his style and size. He simply shrugs and concludes that they're gifts of some sort, especially because they're his style and size.
"It's like staying in a luxurious hotel or something," Prompto laughs, checking out the bathroom now. "Yup! I'm so spoiling myself here. I mean, I'm gonna give up my blood. So, why not?"
After taking off his jacket, Prompto stared down at his bandaged arm. He grimaces and prodes at the bandages, not liking how his wound is sore. He frowns and pouts into the mirror, especially because he hates hospitals, just everything hospital related in general.
"I have to deal with it," Prompto sighs, staring at himself in the mirror. "I came all this way. It's just blood, anyway. So, come on, dude! You've got this!"
XOXO
When dinner time arrived, Prompto heard a knock on his bedroom door. He opened it and greeted Ignis with a smile, then. He couldn't wait for dinner, though. He hadn't eaten much today, especially because he's been just so excited about moving into the Citadel.
"I hope you pleasantly settled in," Ignis says, which makes Prompto laugh. "I'm taking that for a yes."
"Of course, I love my room," Prompto admits, fiddling with his camera. "I definitely love the balcony. You don't find that in the suburbs."
"I guess not," Ignis agrees, looking at the blonde's bandaged arm. "Prompto, I must remind you. You'll have blood drawn every week from now on. If it becomes too much for you to handle, then please let me know. We don't want to overwhelm you."
"Oh … Yeah, I'll let you know," Prompto laughs, but nervously this time around. "Will it be at the hospital or here?"
"It will weekly happen at the Citadel," Ignis explains, stopping Prompto. "We have our own doctors. You are in safe hands, just in case of an emergency."
"Right … " Prompto chuckles, scratching the back of his head. "It's just … doctors scare me."
"I know, Prompto. I can tell that easily," Ignis smiles, green eyes shining in the dim light. "It's okay. You'll get used to it."
"I hope so … " Prompto mumbles, pouting.
"Let's go over some rules," Ignis interjected, grabbing Prompto's full attention. "You're forbidden to wander around at night. You're also forbidden from entering the West Wing. That is where our royal chambers are. Do you understand, Prompto?"
"Yes, I understand," Prompto nods, for full affect. "But, what's wrong with walking around at night?"
"It's not safe, Prompto. I know that this is the Citadel, but a majority of our guards go home at night. That gives an advantage to potential spies or assassins," Ignis explains, making the blonde nod once more. "You'll follow my rules, right?"
"Of course," Prompto agrees, reassuringly smiling at Ignis.
"When are you starting your classes?" Ignis asks, looking at the blonde.
"Next week," Prompto says, eyes sparking in anticipation. "I can't wait to meet my professors!"
"We are giving you a personal driver. You can always ask your driver to go anywhere else, too," Ignis says, but adorns a stern look next. "However, you must return to the Citadel before ten o'clock, if you're out with friends or studying in the library or whatever it is you do. Because, as I have already stated, you are not allowed to wander around at night. So, you must return to the Citadel and eat dinner and get ready for bed. Your blood will be weekly drawn, after all. Therefore, it is important that we keep you in a healthy routine. You're not allowed to drink or smoke, either. Do you understand, Prompto?"
"Yes, I understand," Prompto sighes, pouting from hearing all of Ignis' lectures.
"Good," Ignis remarks, with a chuckle. "It is important that you follow these rules. It's for your safety, Prompto."
"I know … " Prompto pouts, quite hungry by now.
XOXO
As he had been seated, Prompto smiles and stares at the other dinner guests. He notices that they're incredibly beautiful and noble looking, like they had just stepped out of a painting. He blushes and bites his lower lip, just to resist taking pictures of his dinner companions. He also notices that they're all silently sipping wine, not just any wine, though. They're sipping a crimson colored wine, which also appears quite thick in texture. It makes him look down at his glass, especially because it's filled with orange juice, but Ignis forbid him alcohol.
"Prompto, I want you to meet Gladiolus," Ignis said, stepping aside to introduce his muscled brunet friend. "He's a very special guard at the Citadel."
In an instant, Prompto stood and shook hands with Gladiolus. The muscled brunet's handshake was quite firm, which was completely unlike Ignis' gentle handshake. He had also noticed Gladiolus' hands were rough and calloused, not like Ignis' soft and slender gloved ones.
"I've been wanting to meet you," Gladiolus admitted, taking his seat beside Ignis. "The whole guard has been talking about you, especially about your comment of King Regis."
"Right … " Prompto stuttered, his face turning pink again. "Why can't people just forget about it?"
"You're one funny kid," Gladiolus laughed, staring intently at Prompto now. "Are you really fine with having your blood being drawn regularly?"
"Yeah, I think so. It's just blood," Prompto shrugged, thankful that the topic changed from his embrassassing comment. "I'm young and strong, anyway. Plus, I'm giving my blood for research purposes."
"You're so right about that," Gladiolus chuckled, sipping from his wine glass. "Please, I want you to call me Gladio from now on. We'll be running into each other a lot, anyway."
"Sure, I can do that," Prompto agreed, grinning at his new acquaintance. "I like using nicknames. They're not so formal and stuff."
When his food finally arrived, Prompto's mouth begun watering. The juicy steak looks so appetizing, just ready to be devoured. He quickly grabbed his camera, then. He wants to photograph his luxurious meals at the Citadel, after all.
"Wow!" Prompto gasped, just as a servant sat his plate down in front of him. "This looks really delicious."
"The cooks will make anything you want from now on," Ignis said, which made Prompto blink in confusion. "I'm serious, Prompto."
"Oh my gosh!" Prompto squealed, widely grinning. "They'll make me desserts, too?"
"Of course," Ignis confirmed, more focused on drinking his wine. "They'll make anything you want."
"Looks like Prompto has a sweet tooth," Gladiolus teased, more focused on drinking his wine, too. "I like sweets, too."
In fact, Prompto noticed all of his dinner companions were more focused on drinking wine. They barely ate much of their steaks, just taking a few bites every now and then. He didn't think much of it, though. He just thought that's how pretty nobles eat, not like peasants such as himself. He shrugged and started eating, then.
"Hey, who sits there?" Prompto asked, looking at the head of the table. "It's empty."
"That is where Lucian kings sat and ate," Ignis informed, smirking and staring at Gladiolus, then. "No one can take his seat. It would be an act of treason."
"Isn't it a little weird, running a palace without a king or queen?" Prompto questioned, with his blonde eyebrow raised. "I mean, I wouldn't want the Citadel completely shut down, but it's just so weird, though."
"I guess so," Gladiolus laughed, as other important Citadel members just laughed. "Hey, aren't you majoring in Lucian history and artwork?"
"Yeah, I am," Prompto gushed, his blue eyes sparkling.
"You have much to learn, then," Gladiolus said, which made Prompto frown.
"Okay … " Prompto mumbled, returning back to his dinner.
XOXO
After he had finished dinner, Prompto started returning to his bedroom. He absolutely loved his dinner, though. He must admit his dinner at the Citadel is better than his mother's cooking, too. He hated admitting such a thing, but it is true nevertheless. He laughed and fiddled with his camera, just wanting to take a few more pictures before bedtime.
Upon looking around, Prompto spotted another beautiful painting of a Lucian queen. He smiled and steadied his camera. He focused it and took the shot. He started looking around the dim hallway again, just in time to notice an important sign, which read West Wing. He gasped and froze, especially because Ignis' words rang perfectly clear in his head.
"Well, I'm not actually in the West Wing, just outside of it," Prompto reassured, whirling around and staring into the dark hallways of the West Wing, which light from where he stood couldn't even penetrate through. "It's where the royal chambers are."
Despite his hungry curiosity, Prompto knew better than to defy Ignis' rules. He still lingered outside of the West Wing hallway, just in an attempt to see through the impenetrable darkness, but he failed in his futile attempts.
"I should return to bed … " Prompto sighed, feeling a sudden bout of coldness, then. "That's weird. Why is it cold all of a sudden?"
In an instant, Prompto started shivering and rubbing his arms. He looked into the West Wing's dark hallways once more. He stopped soon, though. A sudden strangeness seemed to be emitting from the West Wing, like someone was watching him from the darkness, but that couldn't be right, not when the West Wing is completely vacant, especially because monarchy has been abolished and Lucis' has no heirs left to the throne anymore.
"I should leave … " Prompto muttered, walking away, with his body still shivering. "It's getting late, anyway."
A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.