Warning: Noctis/Prompto.
Chapter Six
He sat quietly in the Regalia.
As Ignis drove, Prompto stared out of the window. The storm had passed, not leaving much damage or destruction behind. There were fallen branches and street signs, but nothing too concerning.
Of course, Noctis hadn't kept his promise of driving him home, not after what had happened between them last night. However, Prompto didn't expect Noctis to keep his promise, but he still felt hurt about it.
"Are you alright?" Ignis asked, as Prompto quickly nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Prompto assured, as Ignis sighed and shook his head. "I know you don't believe me, but I'm telling the truth. I learned my lesson. I won't make the same mistake again. I promise you."
"How can you be so certain? You love him so, so much."
"I'll … I'll try my best."
"It won't be easy moving on."
"I know that …"
XOXO
A growl erupted throughout the training room. He fell backwards, with Noctis atop him. His jaw was met with a fist, but he knew Noctis could do much worse than that. The prince was only frustrated and agitated, like usual these days.
However, Gladio continued taunting and teasing Noctis. It wasn't anything Noctis wasn't accustomed to. He would always rile Noctis up. He did it to make Noctis take training more seriously.
Normally, Noctis wouldn't give in, except for these past couple of weeks. Why, though?
"What's wrong, Highness?" Gladio smirked, throwing Noctis off of him. "Are you having second thoughts? Do you regret not sleeping with Prompto?"
"Shut up!" Noctis snarled, lunging at him again. "I don't want to hear his name!"
"I wonder why," Gladio snickered, dodging Noctis' attack. "You love him, don't you?"
"I said shut up!" Noctis shouted, clutching his head. "There's no such thing."
The prince fell to his knees, with his eyes squeezed shut in pain. Instantly, Gladio rushed over to Noctis, who was steadily shifting. But, Noctis was trying to resist, not letting his wolf form.
"Stop fighting the transformation, Noct."
"I … I can't control it!"
"You're an alpha. This is your power. Embrace it, Noct."
"No … I can't control this!"
"Don't be scared. I know you can. It's your power, after all."
"I can't!"
"Well, I don't believe that."
Then, Gladio moved aside – letting Noctis writhe atop the scratched and clawed floor. Of course, Noctis couldn't resist his wolf for long.
Eventually, Noctis' body surrendered and gave away. A beautiful black wolf emerged in his place, who howled loudly just before running off.
XOXO
After Ignis driven him home, Prompto couldn't just sit about. He needed a distraction, especially from his troubled thoughts.
So, Prompto took off, with his camera in hand. He thought that taking pictures would help him.
The forest was alive, with little critters scurrying in every corner. However, Prompto let them be – content with watching them from afar. He could zoom in with his camera, anyway. Why bother them, then?
"I wish mom and dad would let me have a pet. I would definitely consider getting a rabbit," Prompto chuckled, his camera aimed at a lone white rabbit searching for food. "I should've bought some snacks with me."
The rabbit's ears perked up, then. A howl echoed throughout the forest – scaring its cute critters away. Instantly, Prompto's stood and started running, not wanting to become prey.
"What the heck?" Prompto croaked, darting through the tall trees. "Wolves aren't native to this forest. They went extinct years ago. Unless …"
He was right. The wolves were extinct, but their lineage lives on … in alphas. So, Prompto nervously looked behind him – a back wolf eagerly chasing him. He screamed and scrambled onward – losing his footing, then.
He tripped and tumbled down. He landed softly - the wet forest floor cushioning him, but the wolf caught up, though. It stood in front of him – growling at him, with its sharp teeth bared.
"Get away from me!" Prompto cried, hurling a rock at the wolf. "Leave me alone!"
Fortunately, Prompto had good aim. The wolf whimpered and whined – the rock grazing its cheek. It scampered off – sparing him, then.
Without hesitation, Prompto made his escape, but forget about his camera.
XOXO
It wasn't difficult tracking Noctis' scent, but Noctis kept moving. The prince was quick, too.
However, Ignis had expected that, especially because Noctis was in his wolf form. He stopped and sighed – crossing his arms together, then. The forest was just too big to cover – considering Noctis wouldn't slow down, but why? Where was the prince running to?
"Hey, I found something," Gladio said, kneeling down. "It's a camera."
"Let me see," Ignis snapped, snatching the camera away. "Don't you recognize this?! It's Prompto's camera. He must have been here – taking pictures, but Noctis was, too."
"We should hurry, then."
"Are you going to transform?"
"Well, I have to. Can you keep up?"
"You know I can."
Unlike Noctis, Gladio transformed fast. After all, Gladio wasn't resisting the transformation. A dark brown wolf emerged – darting ahead, then. He followed behind, but not closely, though. He kept a distance on purpose, not wanting to get in Gladio's way of tracking Noctis' scent.
XOXO
They soon found Noctis – lying unconscious in the forest. Immediately, Ignis ran over to Noctis, his hands cupping Noctis' cheeks. He inspected Noctis for any wounds, but the prince had none. He should've known, especially because the prince's powers allow him to heal quickly.
Naturally, Noctis wouldn't wake, not when he had exhausted himself. So, Gladio lifted Noctis up onto his shoulder – carrying the prince, like he weighed absolutely nothing. The brunet alpha seemed troubled, though. His chocolate brown eyebrows knitted together, with his hand clenched in a tight fist.
"I just don't understand," Gladio scowled, shaking his head. "What's going on with him, Iggy?"
"I wish I knew," Ignis sighed, looking away. "He won't talk to me. It's a common problem of Noctis. Our prince likes closing himself off, especially when going through something."
"Damn!" Gladio snarled, running a hand through his hair. "Why is he so scared of transforming, though? He wasn't before."
"I'm afraid I don't know that either. But, Noctis did say he cannot control his transformations."
"Do you really believe that? This is Noctis we're talking about."
"Of course, I don't believe that. I know Noctis is a strong alpha, just like his father. But, His Highness is scared of his own powers for some reason."
"He's worrying me, Iggy."
"I feel the same way, Gladio."
XOXO
For the most part, Prompto was just happy about escaping the wolf, not caring about the state of himself or his clothes. However, Prompto desperately needed a shower. He was caked in mud from head to toe.
After all, Prompto had tripped, like the clumsy klutz he is. He stripped out of his dirty clothes, then.
He threw them into the washing machine, not wanting his overprotective parents to find out about his little adventure into the forest, or his little dates with Prince Noctis. After all, Prompto's parents just thought that they were studying together at school.
"I'm so stupid …" Prompto sobbed, covering his face, with his hands. "How could I go behind my parents' back for some … for some … crush?"
He sniffled – wiping his tears away, not wanting to cry anymore. After all, Prompto had already shed so many tears.
"How could I have been so stupid?"
XOXO
Usually, Ignis wouldn't trouble the king. He would take care of Noctis on his own, like always.
However, Ignis had no choice now. After all, Ignis couldn't figure out what was going with Noctis alone. He needed help, but from someone who knew Noctis better than anyone else. That person was Noctis' father – the king of Lucis, who was the reason Noctis had been spoiled rotten.
But, Ignis can't blame His Majesty. After all, Noctis is His Majesty's only child. For this reason, Noctis got whatever his heart desired.
"How are you, Ignis?" King Regis asked, with a small smile. "What brings you here today?"
"It's about Noctis," Ignis admitted, as King Regis sat straighter on the throne. "His Highness has been acting out recently. His behavior is troubling me."
"My son is young. It's just a phase probably."
"Your Majesty, I'm not so sure. Please, I'm afraid for him."
"I've never seen you like this before. What has Noctis done that's troubling you, Ignis?"
"His Highness is upset. He's been behaving aggressively lately."
"Well, Noctis is an alpha. I'm sure it's just a phase."
"No, Your Majesty, I think there's something wrong. He hates transforming. He says he cannot control it."
"What? I've never heard about this before."
"May I ask you some personal questions, Your Majesty?"
"You may, Ignis."
"Has His Highness been hurt in the past?"
"No, I'm very protective of my son."
"Yes, I'm well aware. But, has His Highness hurt anyone in the past, then?"
"Absolutely not, Ignis. My son is a gentleman."
"What is going on with him, then?"
"I assure you, Ignis. I'm sure Noctis will come around. If his behavior gets completely out of hand, then I'll have a talk with him. For now, I just advise you to give him some space."
"And, I will. Thank you, Your Majesty."
XOXO
After his shower, Prompto brushed his hair. His hand trembled, though. He could barely look at himself in the mirror – shame, guilt, and regret haunting him.
The brush fell from his hand – clattering against his dresser. But, Prompto didn't care. Instead, Prompto touched his lips. He remembered last night. His memories were vivid. How can he just forget them, then?
His first kiss was Noctis. And, Prompto was willing to give Noctis his virginity last night, too. After all, Prompto felt wanted by him, like his feelings were requited.
He screamed angrily – remembering Noctis' words from last night.
"He was right," Prompto squeaked, his eyes watering. "I am emotional baggage."
XOXO
As he tidied the penthouse, Ignis heard sounds coming from Noctis' bedroom. He sighed in relief, then. The prince was finally awake, not frightfully unconscious anymore.
Without delay, Ignis was by Noctis side. However, Noctis was in pain – dark eyebrows knitted together, hands clutching the sheets, eyes clenched shut, and teeth gritted, but why?
"What's wrong, Noctis?" Ignis sighed, touching Noctis' cheek. "I want to help you."
"You want to help me?" Noctis snarled, grabbing his wrist. "Chain me up, then!"
"What are you talking about?" Ignis snapped, trying to free his hand, but Noctis tightened his grip. "Why would I do that?"
"Just do it, Ignis!" Noctis shouted, his head tilting back, with claws grow and teeth extending. "I can't control this!
"You can, Noctis! Why are you so afraid of your own powers?"
"I'm asking you, Iggy. Please, I don't want to harm anyone."
"You would never harm anyone. You're our prince."
"Stop arguing with me …"
Then, Noctis let him go. He stumbled backwards, especially because Noctis pushed him away. He tried reaching out again, but Noctis growled at him – the prince's teeth bared and eyes glowing red.
"Noctis …"
"Go get the chains now."
A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.