Warning: Noctis/Prompto.

Chapter Seven

For the most part, Prompto held himself together in the presence of others.

However, Prompto would break down in the bathroom and library. He still couldn't look himself in the mirror – shame and guilt haunting him, especially because he's a hypocrite. He judged Noctis' nobles – wondering why they succumbed to His Highness' tricks, but he himself had succumbed in the end, too. He wasn't any better than them – just another helpless omega in love, with the handsome alpha prince.

He could barely concentrate in class, either. After all, Prompto had class with one of Noctis' nobles, who Noctis had been dating before taking an interest in him. And, Prompto had heard the rumors circulating about Noctis and him – people were calling him a gold-digger and a slut, but Noctis didn't get called anything.

His Highness was instead congratulated for 'breaking up' with him. He hadn't been dating Noctis in the first place, but people would rather believe rumors than him. He didn't even sleep with Noctis, just kiss the young alpha prince. It didn't matter, though. After all, Prompto's reputation was tainted already as another one of Noctis' conquests – another name crossed off in the book, which he had a feeling existed.

XOXO

So, Prompto stayed in the library.

After all, Prompto felt safe in the library. It was the one place where he wasn't being slut-shamed – a haven from Noctis' nobles and alpha friends, but Noctis wasn't among them today. He didn't care to know why, though. He had a suspicion that Noctis was probably targeting another omega, who was probably naïve enough to fall for Noctis' tricks, like he had.

He felt taken advantage of – used and abused, like his feelings meant nothing to Noctis. However, Prompto couldn't blame anyone else, but himself for this tragedy. After all, Prompto should've known better than to trust Noctis, who he had been warned about. Even so, Prompto still indulged his fantasy about Noctis, even to the point of lying down with the young alpha prince.

It was a surprise when Noctis stopped, though. However, Prompto is glad that they didn't go any further now, especially because he wouldn't be able to live with himself. After all, Prompto didn't want to be just another one of Noctis' conquests, or for the rumors about him to be true. Even so, Prompto won't let them get him down – considering he hadn't slept with Noctis for his wealth, just loved him ever since they met in the sandbox in elementary school.

XOXO

"Do you need help, sir?"

"That would be wonderful. Can you please put away these library books for me, young man?"

"Of course, I can. It's no problem."

"Thank you, young man. My old age isn't doing me much good these days. I'm thinking about retiring soon."

"Well, if you do retire, I'll certainly miss you."

"You're too kind."

So, Prompto helped the elderly librarian. The old beta shuffled into the break room – leaving him with a cart full of books, then. He didn't mind, though. He couldn't concentrate, anyway. He kept losing focus, his heart and head full of troubled thoughts. He needed a distraction, just something to get his mind off of things.

Even so, Prompto won't let himself fall behind. He's a straight-A student – on the verge of earning a scholarship, just another reason why his parents are so overprotective of him. He's planning on getting that scholarship – making his parents proud and moving somewhere far from Insomnia, not wanting to see Noctis and his entourage ever again.

For this reason, Prompto decided to take some extra classes. He wanted to busy himself, with more advanced courses. He won't ruin himself or his future over a crush, who's the type his parents dislike. He won't disregard their advice ever again – considering they were right to dislike Noctis' type in the end, anyway.

XOXO

Slut

It was written on his locker in black sharpie. Without hesitation, Prompto turned around and ran away – eyes watering with teardrops, trickling down his freckled cheeks. However, Prompto's pain just amused Noctis' nobles and alpha friends, who snickered and smirked as he scampered off.

He hid in the theater room, but backstage. He didn't know where else to go, especially because classes were still in session. The library was too far away – on the other side of campus, which would've been a long run. The bathroom wouldn't be a good place – considering it's in use a lot during the afternoon, and his bullies could corner him in there anytime.

He sat down backstage on the floor, then. He hugged his knees – sobbing silently, not wanting anyone to hear him. He just wanted to be alone – far from everyone, who probably believed those rumors about him. It's because of those rumors Prompto wanted to disappear, especially because they're not true. They're all lies.

"I'm so, so stupid," Prompto cried, his sleeves soaking wet now. "I don't want mom and dad to know about what happened between His Highness and me, but I don't think I can stay sane in this school anymore."

XOXO

The school bell rang, but he didn't get up right away. After all, Prompto was waiting for the school hallways to clear up, not wanting to run into Noctis' entourage again. He didn't want to run into anyone for that matter, especially because he was scared. He didn't want to take any chances, his trust considerably low right now.

However, Prompto quickly scrambled onto his feet. He heard someone walking towards him – their footsteps light, but still resonating around the theater room. He didn't know who they were – just that this encounter wouldn't turn out good for him, considering the whole school was practically against him.

Eventually, Prompto saw the intruder. His eyes grew wide, then. He stumbled backwards, his back pinned against the wall. A choked sob escaped from in-between his lips – twinkling teardrops dripping down his quivering chin, but they still just kept coming closer.

"W-What do you want, Noct?" Prompto asked, as Noctis sighed and stroked his blonde locks. "Stop …"

"It's okay," Noctis assured, as Prompto just averted his eyes. "I just came to return your camera."

"H-How do you have my camera? I never left it at your place."

"Yeah, I know. You dropped it in the forest."

"I was running away from a wolf. W-Was that you, Noct?"

"Does it really matter, Prompto?"

Then, Prompto had his hips clutched. He was embraced – pulled flush against Noctis' body, like from his destructively delightful dreams. He squeaked and shut his eyes – letting Noctis take in his sugary sweet scent, but not noticing Noctis' fingernails elongating into claws or his teeth extending into fangs.

"N-Noct …"

His voice seemed to have awakened Noctis from his strange trance. The young alpha prince released him and took a step back, but still reached out and grabbed his hand. So, Prompto finally opened his eyes – completely unaware of Noctis' lack of control over his transformations. After all, Prompto had opened his eyes too late – the other boy had forced his claws and fangs away.

"You're coming with me."

"N-No, I don't think I should. Please let me go."

"You will do as your prince says, Prompto."

"Y-Yes."

"Good."

XOXO

Unfortunately, Prompto couldn't keep his promise again. This time wasn't his fault, though. He couldn't disobey Noctis, who's the crown prince. He would probably be deported to Niflheim as punishment, which isn't the best place for omegas. His homeland was in a midst of a civil war between alphas and omegas, but betas were free to choose whatever side they wanted to support.

The young alpha prince tugged him outside into the school courtyard. They were met with stares, especially from Noctis' nobles and alpha friends. Without hesitation, Prompto lowered his head, not wanting to meet their terrifying gaze. After all, Prompto was well aware that they despised him – considering he's from the Empire, and so deemed unworthy of Noctis' attention. However, Prompto was approached by Noctis – he hadn't sought Noctis out in the first place, but they would rather believe the rumors than him.

He was pushed into the backseat of a black vehicle, not the Regalia, though. He landed on his back, with his backpack and books scattering the floor of the strange vehicle. He sniffled and sat up – staring at Noctis through tears, whose eyes traveled up and down his body. He scurried backwards – towards the farthest corner of the backseat, where he huddled into a corner. The young alpha prince blinked – snapping out of his mysterious trance, then.

"Take him home," Noctis said, slamming shut the door. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the driver said, starting the engine. "He'll arrive home safe and sound."

The vehicle started moving, then. His heart fluttered, not in a good way. He was being driven home, but he still felt frightened. He looked at Noctis through the tinted windows, who waved him off. What's the point of this, anyway? Why was Noctis having someone from the Citadel drive him home?

XOXO

When Ignis arrived, Noctis' frown deepened.

After all, Noctis didn't understand why Gladio came along. Nevertheless, Noctis still sat down in the backseat of the Regalia, with Gladio beside him. He sighed and loosened his tie, his right arm draped over the backseat. He saw Ignis looking at him from the rearview mirror, though. His shield was staring at him, too. He simply raised an elegant eyebrow – the corners of his lips tugging up into a smirk, then.

"I told you to stay away from Prompto," Ignis scowled, as Noctis' snarled softly. "Have you forgotten what happened at your penthouse? You hurt that poor boy."

"That's none of your concern," Noctis snapped, as Ignis shook his head. "I'll do as I please. Besides, I told the two of you to stop talking about Prompto."

"Your behavior is out of control," Ignis scolded, as Noctis' teeth and fingernails grew. "I don't know what to do anymore."

"Don't you dare look at me like that!" Noctis screamed, as Ignis flinched from the sudden outburst. "Stop insinuating that!"

"Sedate him," Ignis sighed, as Noctis' wolf began coming out. "Sedate him now, Gladio!"

Without hesitation, Gladio grabbed the back of Noctis' head. He tilted Noctis' head backwards, then. His young alpha prince growled warningly, but Gladio jabbed the needle into Noctis' neck.

In an instant, Noctis' wolf went away. Meanwhile, Gladio and Ignis watched Noctis fall asleep. The young alpha prince slumped in his seat, with his head resting against the window.

"I don't understand," Ignis said, rubbing his temples. "What was I insinuating?"

"I don't know," Gladio scoffed, discarding the needle. "This is getting bad, though."

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