Disclaimer: I own nothing of importance.

Author's Note: A few of my dear readers have commented on the [excessive] length of my chapters, so I have made an effort to keep them short for this story. While this has increased the number of chapters for this story, the posting schedule will remain the same. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

The sun slipped slowly beneath the horizon, the last rays of its light glittering along the corners and edges of the transparent hexagons of magic that made up the Wall encompassing the Crown City. Street lamps flickered to life as the light faded from the sky, the flow of people and cars along the streets still going strong as the day drew to a close in the city that never slept.

The arcades were full of teenagers, celebrating the end of finals and beginning of winter break. One such pair was sharing a console, plastic guns in hand as they tried to take down their pixelated foes. The first teen had blond hair framing his freckle-kissed face. His jacket had been discarded on the floor next to his school bag and his loosened tie flopped around his neck as he animatedly shot at the screen. "Come on, Noct!" Prompto said, his bright blue eyes never leaving the monitor, "we've only got the final boss left!"

His companion was about the same height, black hair falling into his face and almost obscuring his storm blue eyes from view. His uniform was much more tidy- collar buttoned and tie straight -as he was more accustomed to wearing suits than his friend. Though not as lively as the blond, his attention was no less focused on the graphics moving across the display as they struggled to best the video game. Noctis groaned as red overtook the screen, the words 'Game Over' flashing at him tauntingly.

"No! We were sooo close!" Prompto moaned, putting down the plastic gun with a dramatic sigh. "One day, Zombie Apocalypse- one day, we shall arise victorious!" he vowed, sweeping his arm out theatrically.

Noctis huffed out a laugh, shaking his head as he slid his gun back into the slot on the front of the machine. "You're such a nerd."

Prompto laughed a bit self-consciously, rubbing the back of his neck.

Noctis didn't notice his friend's discomfort, his eyes instead seeking out the clock on the wall. "I gotta go if I'm going to get home before curfew," he said, collecting his bag and winter coat from where he'd left them on the floor.

Prompto blinked, glancing up at the clock as well. "Uh, isn't curfew at ten on the weekends?" he asked, gathering up his stuff as well.

"Maybe for everyone else," Noctis replied, slipping on the warmer jacket and zipping it up. "One of the conditions of getting my own apartment was an eight o'clock curfew- except on nights I work. Then I have to wait for a member of the Crownsguard to take me home."

"Well, it could be worse," the blond remarked, holding his bag over his shoulder as they headed for the entrance. "How does that work, by the way? I mean, were you able to sign even though you're sixteen? Or is someone else's name is on the lease?"

Noctis shrugged, hunching his shoulders slightly against the chill wind that greeted them as the doors slid open. "I don't know. Ignis took care of all the details."

"Ignis..." Prompto's brow furrowed slightly in thought. "He's...not your Shield, but the other one, right? The one that likes to cook?"

"If by 'cook' you mean trying to poison me with vegetables, then yeah."

Prompto grinned broadly, well aware of his friend's aversion to vegetables in general. "And here I thought poisoning the royal family was considered treason," he quipped.

"Oh, he's got everyone else convinced it's 'for my own good,' but I'm onto him and his nefarious schemes," Noctis said with a completely straight face.

Prompto couldn't hold back his mirth at something so ridiculous being said in such a serious manner. "Death by broccoli?" he laughed.

Noctis gave a false shudder, though the half smile pulling at his lips ruined the effect. "Can you think of a worse way to go?" he returned.

"Yeah, actually- a lot of them," the blond replied, still chuckling. "Come on, dude- vegetables aren't that bad."

"Hey, you don't see me giving you grief about your war on sugar," Noctis replied, giving his friend a side-long glance as they stepped off the curb and onto the crosswalk. "Talk about weird..."

The blond smiled, shaking his head. While he thought Noct's aversion to vegetables was funny, he wasn't ready to get into why he tried to avoid sugary confections for the most part. Seemed like it was time for a new topic. "So, anything fun planned over the break?" he asked.

Noctis shrugged, refraining from commenting on the blatant change in subject. If Prompto didn't want to talk about it, he wasn't going to force the issue. "No plans as of yet," he answered, shifting his bag to the opposite hand and sticking his chilled fingers into his pocket. "Though Ignis will probably be by some time tomorrow to go over my schedule for the week."

"So is Ignis, like, your secretary or something?"

Noctis chuckled, shaking his head. "No, he's training to be my advisor," he said. "Right now, he basically sits in on council meetings and whatnot I can't attend and gives me the reports afterward. He also stops by my apartment two or three times a month to check on me and reports back to my dad."

Prompto frowned. "So you'll be attending meetings all week?" That didn't sound like much of a break to him.

"I can probably get Ignis to attend most of them for me," Noctis said, shrugging. "What about you? You said your parents were coming back, right?"

"Yeah," Prompto agreed, bobbing his head. "They said sometime in the next couple days- which means I really need to clean the house tomorrow."

"You sure one day will be long enough?" Noctis teased, stopping next to the stairway that led down into the subway. He knew the blond's parents were frequently gone due to their jobs, leaving him with free reign of the house. Although the prince had never been invited over, if the house looked anything like the unorganized mess in Prompto's bag, then he certainly had his work cut out for him.

Prompto shrugged, also coming to a stop. "It's not that bad- sometimes they come home unexpectedly, so I try to keep the place clean most of the time."

Noctis nodded, humming non-committedly. "Well, if you get bored and want to hang out, shoot me text," he said, waving a hand in farewell as he turned and continued on down the street.

"Sure thing," Prompto called, heading down the stairs. "See you later!"

Noctis picked up the pace for the remaining two blocks to his apartment, eager to get out of the cold. It was ten to fifteen minutes before the building came into view, the cream-colored marble walls gleaming in the streetlights. He nodded to the doorman as he headed in, his shoes squeaking slightly on the black tile as he made a beeline for the elevator. It took a few seconds for him to fish out the keycard that would allow him access to his floor, fingers a bit stiff from the cold.

It wasn't long before the elevator reached the twenty-eighth floor, dinging cheerily as the doors opened. The corridor was empty as Noctis head to his apartment, the entranceway lights flicking on as he unlocked the door. He changed his shoes for slippers, shucking his jacket as he headed for the living room.

It was a large room, a kitchenette and free-standing counter off to one side with a table and four chairs in front of it. A corner couch and coffee table took up most of the other side of the room, two walls of glass windows providing a spectacular view of the city beyond. The remaining wall held a bookcase filled with various manga and a large screen TV.

Noctis flipped the light on as he entered, dropping his school bag and heavy coat onto the couch as he glanced around the room. There were dirty dishes in the sink, two bags of trash waiting to be taken out next to the counter, a bag of chips and several water bottles- all empty -sitting on the table and several school jackets and ties strewn over the couch.

It seemed Ignis hadn't stopped by today, which meant he'd likely drop in sometime tomorrow.

Noctis eyed the apartment, cognizant his advisor would have a few choice words to say about the mess when he arrived. He flopped down on the couch, knowing he should probably start cleaning, but having difficulty finding the energy to do so. His eyes landed on the TV and, more importantly, the new Assassin's Creed game that came out two weeks ago. The one he hadn't had a chance to play yet because he was studying for finals- like the responsible teenager Ignis claimed he wasn't.

Noctis grinned, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV and game console before heading to the pantry for a cup of instant noodles and a bag of chips. Eating junk food while playing videos games late into the night sounded like the perfect way to start off his vacation.

. . .

Noctis woke to a vaguely familiar sound, though the sun streaming in through the mostly closed blinds and shining right in his face demanded immediate attention. He rolled over, groaning in displeasure as he buried his face in the pillow. Whoever thought it was good idea to put his bed right underneath the window, so he could be blinded by the sun everyday, deserved a slow and painful death. It was probably Ignis' idea, hoping the bright light would encourage the prince to get up earlier on the weekends.

Just to spite him, Noctis pulled the blankets up over his head, intending to go back to sleep when the sound came again. Slightly more alert than before, he recognized the short buzz followed by three chirps as his notification tone. Someone had sent him a text.

Groggily pushing himself to a sitting position, he began blindly groping for the phone on his nightstand, not bothering to open his eyes until he absolutely had to. It wasn't there.

Noctis sighed, blearily glancing at the nightstand. No phone. Which meant it was likely still in his pants pocket...wherever he had dropped them when he'd finally dragged himself to bed that morning. His gaze wandered to the multiple shirts, pants, sock and boxers littering the floor, desk and even the bed. Which was the pair of slacks he'd worn the day before was anyone's guess.

He scowled at the alarm clock, hateful thoughts about morning people in general disappearing as his eyes registered the glowing numbers on the display. 2:37 pm. It seemed he'd slept the day away...

The alert sounded again, the noise coming from the floor at the side of the bed. He leaned over, spying the black case at the foot of the nightstand. Had he accidentally knocked it off?

Mentally shrugging, Noctis picked up the phone and hit the power button. He had one new text from a number he didn't recognize. While he wasn't usually contacted by numbers that weren't in his phone, it wasn't an entirely uncommon occurrence, given his station. He clicked on it, displaying the message on the screen.

I'm really sorry I woke you up this morning Prince Noctis! Thanks again and let me know if there's anything I can do to repay you!

Noctis blinked at the screen. That was...weird. He glanced at the number again before pulling up his call log. Three missed calls from the same number, starting around 7:00 am. The fourth had been answered, though he had no memory of it. He scratched his head, wondering what he had agreed to in that two minute, twenty-four second conversation. There was only one way to find out.

He went back to the text, typing out a reply. Who is this?

It took a few minutes before he got a reply, setting his bowl of cereal on the counter when his phone beeped at him again.

Sorry, this is Ashley from the restaurant.

He did work with an Ashley- a relatively new employee, who'd just finished training last week. However, his number was unlisted. How did you get my number? he typed back, carrying his bowl of cereal over to the couch.

Rick gave it to me. They were really busy, so he told me I had to find coverage myself.

Noct's brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at the phone. His boss had never given his number out to the other employees, always calling him personally about covering someone else's shift. Then again it could get pretty crazy in the back, especially if they were catering an event. At least now he had some idea of what the conversation was likely about. When am I working for you?

There was a long pause before she replied. You don't remember talking to me at all, do you?

No point in denying the obvious. No. I stayed up pretty late last night.

Yes, I noticed. :)

Noctis considered apologizing. He had no idea what he might have said, but it couldn't have been too flattering. Then again, who called someone at seven in the morning on a Saturday, expecting them to not only be awake, but also in a good mood? Aside from Ignis, anyway.

The phone beeped again before Noctis had decided whether or not an apology was necessary, derailing his internal debate.

I'm supposed to work from 4 to closing tonight, but my daughter has a fever and has been throwing up all night. I can't find anyone to watch her. This is the fourth time I've had to call in and since I'm so new, Rick said if I did so during the next month, I'll lose my job. I called an explained this to you earlier and you said you could work for me tonight.

Well, now he felt like a bit of a jerk. She was just trying to take care of her family without losing her job. Besides, it wasn't like she knew he liked sleeping in late, even when he hadn't been up most of the previous night. She didn't deserve his early morning attitude.

Can you still work for me? Please say yes!

Noctis blinked, realizing how his silence must have looked from her side. He quickly typed back a reply. I said I would, didn't I? Don't worry, I got it covered. He hesitated briefly before adding a bit more. And sorry about whatever I may have said earlier. I'm not really morning person.

Thank you so much! And don't worry about it- you were a perfect gentleman!

Noctis very much doubted that, but wasn't going to argue with her. He glanced at the time at the top of his screen, sighing resignedly as he dropped the phone on the couch and headed back to his bedroom. He had a little less an hour before his shift started and he wasn't about to ruin his perfect record by being late.

It took the raven-haired youth about twenty minutes to get ready, slinging the bag with his uniform in it over his shoulder as he locked his apartment and hurried to the elevator. It usually took him between twenty-five and thirty minutes to walk to work, which, while doable, would be cutting it a bit close today.

The afternoon air was cold but still, the lack of wind making it seem a bit warmer than the day before as Noctis' quick strides carried him down the familiar city streets. He had walked about a block when he remembered Ignis was probably going to drop by his apartment some time that evening. Wanting to spare himself the lecture later (and because he didn't want to have to wait for his escort to arrive after his shift), he pulled out his phone to send his advisor a text.

A group of men were walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction, arguing loudly about something. Noctis didn't pay them much attention, distractedly adjusting his course closer to the buildings as he typed out the message. The man closest to him stepped to the side and away from the others as their argument escalated, roughly jostling the prince and sending him stumbling a step or two toward the mouth of the alley.

Noctis reflexively turned his head to glare at the man as he tried to regain his footing, though he had neither the time nor inclination to call him out on the rude behavior. Before the prince was able to find his balance once more, a pair of strong arms encircled his own from behind, meaty fingers clasping behind his neck and holding on tight as his attacker half-dragged, half-carried him away from the main thoroughfare. At the same time a second assailant covered Noct's mouth and nose with a damp surgical mask, quickly sliding the elastic straps over his head to keep it in place.

Noctis couldn't help the short gasp of surprise when he was grabbed, inadvertently breathing in whatever drug the mask had been doused in. Although he reflexively held his breath when the cloth touched his face, the fumes emanating from it made his eyes burn and water; the sharp and penetrating scent of the chemicals so strong he could practically taste it coating his mouth and throat. The latter was a problem as it triggered a few weak coughs, depleting what little oxygen was in his lungs before he could clamp down on the involuntary reaction.

He thrashed around as much as he was able, jerking his head from side to side and kicking out at anything he could reach, forcing most of his weight on his kidnapper. His foot hit something solid as a feminine sounding grunt of pain came from his right. Before he could try to kick her again the guy holding him tripped, landing hard on the ground with a loud curse in Noct's ear, though his grip did not loosen.

His lungs were burning, screaming for air and the prince knew he couldn't hold his breath much longer. Trying to remember all those lessons with Gladio, Noctis braced his feet against the ground for extra leverage as he tried to twist out of the man's hold before he regained the presence of mind to pin the prince with his legs as well. The woman threw herself over his legs to keep him from escaping and Noctis couldn't stop the soft gasp as her weight dug a large rock painfully into his calf.

The reaction was instantaneous, his lungs greedily sucking in the air before rejecting it vehemently. His entire body shook with the force of the coughs that racked his thin frame, scarcely able to draw in breath enough to fuel them. Each chemically saturated inhale triggered more violent coughing in a vicious cycle that had no end. After what felt like an eternity the fit finally subsided, leaving his throat raw and him feeling lightheaded and weak, unable to do more than simply draw in one ragged breath after another.

Now that he was no longer facing death by asphyxiation, the prince turned his attention back to his surroundings. He had been rolled onto his side, the mask gone and no longer restrained as someone rubbed his back soothingly. Noctis knew better than to assume he'd been rescued- the steady hand on his shoulder keeping him from face planting into the filthy ground of the alley would no doubt stop him in a heartbeat if he tried to escape- not that he was in any condition to do so at the moment. He blinked the water from his still stinging eyes as a pair of vaguely familiar boots came to a stop in front of him, too dizzy from the drugs to try turning his head to see who they belonged to.

"Good work, men," came the familiar voice of Cor Leonis, Marshal of the Crownsguard. "You've successfully kidnapped the heir to the throne."

Noctis scowled, anger coursing through his veins as he managed to draw a deep enough breath to let him speak without gasping in between the words. He opened his mouth, scathing retort ready on the tip of his tongue as the hand on his shoulder shifted to his arm and hauled him to his feet. The anger was roughly shoved aside in favor of nausea as the world spun alarmingly and Noctis snapped his mouth shut to keep from retching as another person took his other arm. They hoisted him up between them, carrying him to a waiting car. Noctis shut his eyes tightly as the swaying made his stomach flip, focusing on keeping his breathing steady. These guys sooo deserved it if he threw up on them.

To Be Continued

New chapters are posted on Monday.