Chapter 7
(Noctis)
Noctis rolled over, trying to shield his eyes from the sunlight. Ignis and Gladio had shown up just as the sun was rising to pick him up, and in true Ignis fashion, had thrown open the curtains to wake him up. They had a long drive to get to Hunter Headquarters, where they were headed so they could get their assignment. Ignis wanted to make sure that they would get there before nightfall so they can set up their camp site, and mingle with some of the other hunters. According to him, he thought it would be most befitting of a future king to meet and greet his people.
"Come along Noct, and get dressed. Gladio here will make sure that you get ready while I go and pick up Prompto."
"Why didn't you pick him up before coming here?" Noctis asked, sitting up with his eyes still closed.
"Because I know how you operate. You tend to take a long time to wake up and get dressed. Especially this early. Gladio is staying here to make sure you actually wake up, so don't think about going back to sleep."
Noctis didn't say anything, but instead flopped over and pulled the sheets over his face, leaving only his ears exposed. Before he had a chance to fall back asleep though, he felt the blanket being pulled away from him. Refusing to wake up, he curled up into a ball, wrapping his tail around his body, and groaning in frustration.
"He's all yours Gladio. I'll be back within the hour."
Gladio didn't respond, as he was too busy lifting the mattress with the sleepy prince on it, making sure he fell onto the floor.
(Prompto)
Prompto sat on the edge of his bed, fastening his wristbands, and thinking about how yesterday went. About an hour after he had gotten into the shower, Iris came to drop off the items he had bought. When he didn't answer, she pulled out the spare key he keeps above his door and let herself in. She found him in the shower, sitting there staring at the wall, the water steaming hot, almost too hot for her to touch. She turned off the water, wrapped him in a towel, and made him sit on the couch. She didn't ask any questions, but let him be as she went about taking care of him.
Prompto was grateful for her being there last night. She was the friend he needed because she fully understood the situation he was in. When he had told her what Noctis had said about him stinking like an omega, he had tears in his eyes, and she was instantly angry. She knew that Noctis hadn't meant it in that way, but she couldn't believe that he had said that when he was friends with so many omegas.
While he was spacing out, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw that he had gotten a text message from Noctis.
N: Hey. Ignis left my place to come pick you up. He left Gladio here to wake up. T.T he threw me on the floor.
P: Of course he did. Have you ever tried waking you up?
N: I'm not that difficult to wake up!
P: Yes, you are. I bet we have to roll you out of the tent and into the fire at least once this weekend to wake you up.
N: Whatever. At least I get to sleep in the car on the way there.
While he was typing his response, Prompto heard someone knocking on the door. When he opened the door he wasn't surprised to find Ignis standing there, holding a cup of coffee.
"I ran into Iris this morning, and she hinted that you might be in need of some caffeine." Ignis said, holding out the coffee cup for Prompto to take. "I believe I got your favorite flavor."
"Ah, thanks Ignis. I'll have to thank Iris for telling you. Yesterday was a really long day." He said with hint of exhaustion.
"Yes, I gathered that. She didn't tell me much, just that you might need a pick me up. She informed me that if I truly wanted to know what was wrong, that I should ask you. I do not mean to pry, but if you need someone to talk to, you know I am hear to listen."
"Thank you, Iggy. It's not really that big of a deal. I went into that omega specialty shop yesterday, and I ran into Iris, so she knows now about me. She introduced me to some really awesome people who taught me alot, and had me buy things she thought I would need. When we were leaving we ran into Noctis. Before he left, he told me to shower because I stank like an omega, which hurt me more than it should have."
Ignis frowned. "That's very unbecoming of Noct, especially since he personally knows many omegas. I do believe he meant it more as a jest than anything else, and you have nothing to worry about."
Prompto took a sip of the coffee, and nodded in agreement. After a few moments of thinking, he turned to Ignis. "I plan on telling him sometime this weekend. Perhaps after we finish our duties, he and I can go off on our own for a while. I'm tired of keeping this a secret from him. It's too exhausting, and I can't believe he hasn't figured it out yet."
Ignis pushed his glasses up his nose and took a long look at Prompto. "Are you sure? Once you tell him, things will probably change between the two of you. I've seen how he behaves around you when you're scent gets out."
Prompto started at the lid of the coffee cup. "Yeah, I'm sure. I need to tell him before he figures it out on his own. If I don't, our friendship may be ruined."
"Very well. I will do my part and keep Gladio busy. It shouldn't be too difficult. Usually after a hunt, all he wants to do is sit by the fire and relax."
"Thank you, Ignis. You're a true friend."
Prompto grabbed his bag from his room, pausing by his bedroom door for a moment, and looking at the bag containing the items he bought yesterday. He shook his head. He probably wouldn't need any of those items this weekend, and he'd rather not get caught with any of them in his stuff. That would be rather difficult to explain to the guys. Closing the door to his room, he turned towards Ignis, signaling that he was ready to head back towards Noctis's apartment.
When they both arrived back at the apartment, they saw something they both never thought they would see. Noctis was laying on the floor, sleeping, and Gladio was throwing bits of clothing at him from the closet, yelling at him to get dressed. Ignis just stood there, shocked at what was happening in front of him. Prompto just smirked, handed his coffee to Ignis and went and sat on top of his best friend, who was now under a growing pile of clothes.
(Noctis)
At some point while Gladio was trying to get him to get dressed, Noctis decided it was a good idea to lay on the floor and go back to sleep. He didn't know how long he was on the floor, napping. Suddenly he felt something heavier and warm sit on top of him. Twitching his ears and tail, he thought about who it could be. He knew Gladio was heavier, and Ignis's butt was bonier.
"Hey Prom." he said from below his pile of laundry.
"Hey Noct. Why don't you get up now and get ready so Gladio can stop having a heart attack."
Noctis didn't reply, but got up, knocking his friend onto the floor in the process. He just looked over, smirked, then grabbed a shirt and pants from the pile, and began to change his clothes. He noticed that Prompto had snuck out when he was paying attention.
After a few minutes, he came out of his room to find that Ignis had made breakfast, and everyone was already seated at the table, eating away. When he sat down, he pretended to not notice Prompto putting his share of bacon onto Noct's plate. Prompto did that everytime they ate together. He wasn't sure why. He just assumed that it was because Prompto was very health conscious, and didn't enjoy eating bacon.
Once everyone had finished eating, and Ignis and Prompto had finished washing the dishes, everyone piled into the car, with Ignis behind the wheel, and Gladio in the front passenger seat. Noctis and Prompto took the back seat. The second they left the city gates, Noctis stretched out, and fell asleep.