Warning: Noctis/Prompto.
Chapter Four
As sunlight streamed in through the curtains, Prompto smiled and stretched out his limbs. He was quite ecstatic today, too. He couldn't wait to explore again, especially the ballroom and gardens. He knew that those parts weren't restricted, like the throne room is. He smiled and crawled out of bed, then.
"Dang! My hair looks like a birds nest," Prompto chuckled, threading through his unruly golden locks. "I should take a picture. It would go nicely in my journal."
After his photo printed, Prompto glued it into his journal. He grabbed a pencil, then. His heart hammering to write, not just about his experiences, but also about his happiness. He hadn't felt such joy before, not until right now. He wishes that this moment lasts forever, just because the Citadel is spoiling and pampering him.
"Well, I earned this," Prompto snickered, closing his journal. "Anyway, I should get ready now."
XOXO
Once inside of the shower, Prompto scrubbed shampoo into his hair. It wasn't long when he had reached for the lavender scented body wash, though. He lathered himself with the product, then. His fingers coated with the soapy substance - running across his freckled skin next.
"Why didn't I put on some music?" Prompto grumbled, crossing his arms. "I could've been dancing."
So, Prompto ran out of the shower. He needed his phone, which he had saved several playlists full of playful pop songs.
"Time for some music!" Prompto grinned, pressing play and then turning the volume up. "This is how I shower, baby!"
XOXO
When all his playlists finished, Prompto finally left the bathroom. He went into his closet, then. He felt conflicted, though. He desired to wear something comfy, like his hoodies, but he wore one yesterday. He sighed and searched through his other outfits, which led him to find a navy blue button down shirt.
"I didn't buy this," Prompto mumbled, inspecting the long sleeved, navy blue button down shirt. "It looks expensive. Mom couldn't have bought it, either. She'd rather buy me school supplies. The Citadel must have bought me new clothes, then. That's nice."
So, Prompto put on his new shirt, with black boots and jeans. He began blow drying his hair, then. He finished in about ten minutes, though. He started styling his hair afterwards, which took him about five minutes. His hair wasn't being unruly, after all.
"I think I'm ready," Prompto murmured, grabbing his camera. "Time for some breakfast now!"
XOXO
Upon leaving his bedroom, Prompto begun strolling through the Citadel's dark and dingy hallways. He noticed that the Citadel's corridors were void of life, which contradicted Ignis' statement once again. He wondered, though. He wondered where everyone is, especially all of the nobles and servants. He thought they should be awake, even in meetings or working perhaps.
"Where is everyone?" Prompto asked, scratching the back of his head. "They can't still be asleep. Can they?"
Even so, Prompto didn't get any answers. He continued walking towards the kitchen, then. He was starving, especially for some oatmeal and orange juice. He needs a balanced diet, considering donating blood is sort of risky.
"I wonder when I'll donate blood again," Prompto asked, nervously. "I guess it's not that time yet."
XOXO
After he had finished breakfast, Prompto thanked the cooks and left. He silently strolled through the Citadel corridors again. He soon came across a room. He threw the decorated double doors wide open, which creaked and croaked loudly. He bit his lower lip, not wanting to get caught entering another restricted room.
"But. I don't see anyone around," Prompto mumbled, quickly slipping inside of the dark and dingy ballroom, then. "Wow! This place is huge."
When he had drew the curtains open, Prompto gasped and gaped in awe. He found the ballroom beautiful. He began snapping pictures, then. He couldn't help himself, especially because he is an art major.
"I've heard Lucis' masquerade balls were amazing!" Prompto grinned, snapping photos of the crystal chandeliers. "I wish I could've seen one in real life."
Without hesitation, Prompto dashed towards the beautiful knight statues. He halted in front of one. He then took the knight's hands, which Prompto placed around his hips. He blushed and begun dancing, not caring about someone walking in on his foolish behavior. His phone played piano music, too.
"You want another dance," Prompto giggled, batting his eyes. "But, I'm afraid I must go. The clock has struck midnight. My carriage is awaiting me. Goodbye, my mysterious knight."
XOXO
Upon leaving the ballroom, Prompto started strolling through the royal gardens. He sometimes stopped and sniffed the flowers, especially the red roses. He saw a lot of them, though. He found that strange, not because he hated red roses. He just wondered where the other flowers are, like daisies.
"What's that?" Prompto asked, squinting at a dark building, which towered tall atop an island. "It looks like a … mausoleum."
However, Prompto soon saw a wooden bridge connecting together the tiny island and royal gardens. He ran towards the bridge, then. It creaked underneath his feet, but Prompto ran across to the tiny island safely. The island is man made, even the lake surrounding it is man made. The blonde is still awed and amazed, especially by the royal mausoleum.
"This is definitely restricted," Prompto mumbled, biting his lower lip. "And, I'm not going inside, either. If I do, I'd probably get kicked out of the Citadel."
But, Prompto gathered together still some roses. He weaved them into a beautiful bouquet, which he placed in front of the mausoleum, then. He cried out in pain soon, though. His index finger was pricked by the thorns, like seriously sharp thorns.
"Ouch!" Prompto gasped, blood dripping down his finger, splattering atop the red roses. "Ugh, I need a first aid kit."
XOXO
In the distance, Prompto noticed the sky slowly and steadily dimming. He wanted to take pictures, but he couldn't right now. His finger is severely pricked, with blood dripping profusely from the cut. It made him feel weird, especially because blood makes him feel weak.
So, Prompto returned to the Citadel. He wasn't alone this time, though. He was surrounded by the Citadel's attendants, especially nobles who wouldn't stop staring at him. He didn't understand why, just because he isn't anyone new. They've seen him before, even talked to him during dinner. Why do they keep looking at him, then?
"You're bleeding!" Ignis frowned, as Prompto quickly whirled around in surprise.
"Yeah, I was picking roses. One of the thorns pricked me," Prompto chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "But, I'm fine. It's just a little cut."
"Your cut could get infected," Ignis warned, his eyebrows furrowing together. "Come with me, Prompto. Let me take care of you."
"Thanks!" Prompto grinned, his lips tugging into a smile. "You're awesome."
XOXO
Once his finger became bandaged, Prompto strolled silently towards the dining hall. He would usually talk to Ignis and Gladio, but they seem upset. He doesn't understand why, especially because both enjoy conversing.
Upon turning a corner, Prompto stopped and stared outside. He saw someone in the royal gardens, but atop the tiny island. He saw them touching the bouquet, especially the blood drenched petals of roses.
For this reason, Prompto pressed his hands against the glass. He wonders who the stranger is, especially why they're touching the roses. He cannot see their face, expect for their translucent pale jaw. He continues staring though, even as they lick his blood off of the petals.
"What the hell?" Prompto whispered, as they turned towards him. "They can see me!"
"Prompto?" Ignis called, raising an eyebrow.
"Blondie?" Gladio grumbled, grabbing his wrist.
"Sorry, I'm coming,," Prompto apologized, stepping away from the window.
XOXO
After another delicious dinner, Prompto walked through the hallways again. He had kept thinking about earlier - about the mysterious stranger.
However, Prompto halts soon. He's standing in front of the West Wing again, but petals lay everywhere - rose petals, though.
So, Prompto kneels down. His fingers turning the torn bouquet over, which pricked his finger earlier.
"I should leave," Prompto gasped, backing away.
"Yeah, I really should leave," Prompto gulped, sprinting to his bedroom.
A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.