Warning: Noctis/Prompto.

Chapter Two

The back door opened, but against his wishes.

His best friend forced the door open, with brute strength. Then, Noctis grabbed him – shook him hard, just before hugging him.

His tears wet Noctis' shoulder, but his best friend didn't mind. After all, Noctis was more concerned about his well-being – considering he had seen the amount of bloody petals and tissues littering his house. Then, Noctis pulled away – grabbing his arms once more, his dark blue eyes quite stern.

That look frightened him. He began backing away, but Noctis pinned him against the wall. He lowered his head, not wanting to look into Noctis' eyes anymore.

"Who is it?" Noctis asked, as Prompto just kept quiet. "Is it Cindy? What about Aranea? Who is it, Prompto?"

"Calm down, Your Highness. He's clearly scared," Ignis advised, as Noctis tightened his hold. "You're scaring him."

"He's scaring me!" Noctis asserted, as Prompto bit his lower lip. "Talk to me, Prompto. I just want to help you."

"Let him go, Noctis."

"I don't want to. He won't take care of himself. We all know that."

"I'm well aware, but pressuring him to talk won't get you anywhere. We'll take him to a hospital, just let him go for now."

"Fine."

"Thank you."

XOXO

He went upstairs, with Ignis accompanying him.

Meanwhile, Noctis waited downstairs. His best friend was clearly upset, but he felt more comfortable talking to Ignis. He wanted to apologize, his eyes just couldn't meet those furious dark blue ones, though.

In his bedroom, Ignis sighed at the state of his bed – stained petals and tissues laying everywhere, but he could care less. His secret was out in the open now, like a sore wound. What would be the use hiding his symptoms, then?

It was difficult to clean in general, too. His body would produce petals quite often. He couldn't do anything to stop it. He didn't have that power.

"Well, I can see this has been going on for a long time now," Ignis grimaced, as Prompto sniffled in response. "If not His Highness, then tell me. I promise I won't tell a soul. Who is it? Who is this person causing you so much pain?"

"It doesn't matter who they are," Prompto groaned, as Ignis kneeled down before him. "Because I'm considering surgery."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"They don't love me. We could never have a future together, anyway."

"Why do you say that? How do you know that they don't love you?"

"I'm a commoner and they're a noble."

"You shouldn't let titles discourage you."

"This isn't a fairytale. This is my life. And there is no way a noble would want me."

"Prompto …"

XOXO

The Regalia was quiet, not a common occurrence.

They weren't chatting, like usual. After all, Noctis was angry at him – considering he hid having Hanahaki Disease, and chose to talk to Ignis over him.

He reached out, with a shaking hand. His best friend intertwined their fingers together, but still didn't look at him. Instead, Noctis continued staring out the window, his lips pouted and dark eyebrows furrowed together.

He sighed and squeezed Noctis' hand, who sharply exhaled.

"You always do this," Noctis scowled, as Prompto shut his eyes. "You always keep everything to yourself and let it eat away at your pretty, little head. That's not okay, Prompto."

"I know, I know," Prompto sniffled, as Noctis frowned at him. "I just couldn't tell you. Please just try to understand."

"What is there to understand? This thing you have can kill you. Then, I lose my best friend!"

"I just didn't want to worry you. You have bigger priorities than me, anyway."

"Stop, Prompto! You are my priority and I'm supposed to worry about you. What are best friends for?"

"Noct …"

XOXO

He croaked and coughed, with petals itching to escape.

The Regalia quickly pulled over, then. He threw the door open.

His chapped lips flew open – rose petals fluttered from them, but barely before touching the cement. They were drenched and doused, with his blood.

His best friend glared at him – eyes angrily glowing red, like the roses growing inside of him. He scrambled backwards, but Noctis caught him. He was pulled off of the cement, with such an ease. The crown prince embraced him, then.

"How long has this been going on?" Noctis asked, as Prompto chewed his lower lip. "I won't ask again, Prompto."

"It's been a month now," Prompto admitted, as Noctis cursed underneath his breath. "I didn't know how bad this could get, not until a few weeks ago."

"You really love them, don't you?"

"I love them more than my life."

"What about our friendship?"

"Noct …"

"Get in the Regalia."

XOXO

His doctor sat across from him.

He was alone in the office. His friends were waiting outside, not allowed in. It's because they aren't family, his patient and doctor confidentiality coming into effect, then.

The elderly man set his clipboard down – offering him a sympathetic look, with a small sigh.

"A lot of patients ask for surgery, but surgery rarely ever happens in the end," his doctor said, as Prompto tilted his head sideways. "It's a pattern my colleagues and I noticed years ago.

"Why?" Prompto squeaked, as his doctor smiled sadly. "Why do they change their minds?"

"If you get the surgery, you'll have the flowers removed."

"But?"

"You'll lose all your memories of the person you love."

"That can't be true."

"I'm sorry."

"I can't lose my memories. It's all I have."

"I can give you a couple of more days to think this decision over, but you don't have much time left."

"I've made my decision. I'm keeping my memories."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am."

XOXO

He ran out of his doctor's office, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

His best friend embraced him – held him protectively and tightly, but he felt conflicted about being inside of Noctis' arms. After all, Noctis is the one who he loved so much, even to the point of letting Hanahaki Disease overtake him.

"I can't have the surgery!" Prompto sobbed, as Noctis stroked his hair. "If I do, then I'll lose all of my memories of the person I love so much."

"You need the surgery," Noctis snapped, as Prompto shook his head. "You'll die, Prompto."

"And, I'd rather die!"

"I won't let you."

"It's my choice, Noct."

"Yeah, well, I don't care. You're not dying anytime soon on my watch."

A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.