Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The rain pittered softly against his window pane, gentle rumbles of thunder echoing in the distance as the slow moving storm rolled over the city.  Sliding open his window, he took a moment to mess with the camera settings before snapping a picture of the brightly lit skyline against the stormy backdrop. Satisfied with the shot, he closed his window and flopped on his bed to flip through the day’s pictures. 

A capture of colorful leaves twirling perfectly in the air around the gate of his school building. Students excitedly chatting to each other as they reunited for their first day of high school. The sunlight dappling the fancy cobblestones leading up to the main entrance. A club poster featuring a chocobo chick. 

And a candid shot of Prince Noctis, walking the school grounds with a far off, somewhat melancholic expression, despite the casual air of his loose tie and the hands in his pockets. 

“Hey there, Prince Noctis!” 

Noctis had blinked at him, looking him up and down.

“I’m Prompto. Nice to meet you,” he grinned not easily, but well practiced. Again and again, and again in his mirror.  

The corner of the prince’s mouth slid up in a half smile, “Don’t I know you?” 

It took everything in him to keep from freezing up in shock. Instead, he rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously. Noctis merely gave him a friendly slap on the back and continued walking with him. 

The prince remembered him. 

Prompto scratched under the rim of his glasses, worn nowadays only while resting his eyes from his contacts. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Elation and wariness warred in his stomach, both leaving him slightly queasy. 

His phone buzzed in his hand, startling him into almost dropping it. 

______________________________

8:00pm

~~King’s Knight~~

◘Noctis_Official has sent a friend request to ♫Silver_Chocobro

_______________________________

“No way~!” 

His voice rang loudly in the empty apartment. Quickly tapping the notification, he jiggled his leg as he waited for the game to load.

“How long you been playing?” 

“Huh?” he gawked around a mouthful of his salad, not having noticed when the prince stayed behind in their classroom with him after the lunch bell rang. 

Noctis gestured towards the little charm dangling from his bag, a chocobo dressed in the King’s Knight thief garb. 

Prompto let his fork hang from his mouth a moment, glancing around the classroom. No one else had elected to eat at their desks. It was just the two of them. Swallowing his mouthful too soon transitioned into a coughing fit that had his face turning red and his eyes watering. 

“Dude, do I need to do the Heimlich or something?” Noctis’ hand was warm against his back as it patted him. 

“Nope, s’ok--” he coughed out, “Think I deserve to choke if salad is defeating me.” 

The prince huffed a laugh, stepping away as Prompto chugged down some water finally. 

Noctis sat on the desk beside his, taking a bite of an outrageously delicious looking deli style sandwich. His salad felt very green and very bland by comparison. Prompto crunched on it with extra vigor out of spite.

“Um, since it came out.” 

“What?” Noctis asked around a mouthful. Quite unprincely... 

“ King’s Knight ,” Prom clarified, “Since it was released. I’m at chapter 24... more like, stuck on chapter 24. Don’t wanna move on ‘till I beat the secret side quest boss, but I can’t seem to win that battle.”

“Yea, that was a bitch. Took out our whole party more than a couple times before we beat it.” 

“Say what-- What chap are you on?” 

“Forty-nine.”

“ WHAT !” Prompto eyed him suspiciously, “Dude, you only got that far because you’re in a party .” 

“Won’t deny that,” Noctis shrugged, then tilted his head, “You saying you got to twenty four playing solo ?” 

“Yeah, I guess...”

The prince’s eyebrows raised a fraction, “What’s your username? I’ll add you next time I play.” 

“You for real? Yeah, okay-- Silver chocobro,” Prompto shoved his mouthful of salad into his cheek so he wouldn’t choke again, “With a, you know, underscore between.” 

Nocits glanced once more at his chocobo charm, and Prompto thought he glimpsed another smile but it disappeared into the prince’s sandwich. 

The start screen music finally chimed in, and he impatiently tapped through all the ads to get to the request menu. There was the prince’s request with a glowing ‘new’ flashing by the level and progress markers.

Prompto stared for a minute, eyes narrowing. 

______________________________

~~Pending Requests~~

◘Noctis_Official has sent a friend request to ♫Silver_Chocobro

• CLASS//Warrior Knight
• LVL//Chapter ~9~

_____________________________

He pulled his glasses off his face and folded them neatly on the nightstand. His screen was not much different without them, as he only needed them to see far, but he rubbed at his eyes anyway. 

The letters on the screen did not change. Nor did the feeling of being duped. He ought to know better by now...

With a long sigh, Prompto flopped back into his bed, and turned off the screen. Rain still pelted his window, lulling him into a state of drowsiness as he studied the ceiling. Turning his head eventually, his eyes fell to his dresser in the corner. Freckles shifted across his skin as his brow furrowed. 

Getting up from his bed, Prompto approached his dresser and pulled open the top drawer to reveal a plain box in the corner. He sifted through the letters within it, pulling out an envelope with a blue seal and unfolding the pages carefully to read them as he had so many times before. Violet eyes shifted to the phone haphazardly abandoned on his bed, before returning back to the beautiful script. 

He folded the pages, placing them back in their fragrant envelope with meticulous care and pressing it to his nose. The scent of sylleblossom permeated his senses. 

Prompto returned the letter to its storage box with a quiet murmur, “I won’t let you down Lady Lunafreya...promise.” 

Slipping back into his bed, he grabbed his phone once more. The screen came to life on the same game menu. Prompto exited the request list and just focused on playing a few more solo rounds against the stubborn boss until sleep weighed down his eyelids. 

The next morning the din of his classmates voices did little to stir away Prompto's attention from the glowing notification still on his phone screen. He studied it, thinking over in his head what he planned to say when he found a moment to speak to the Prince. It was only their second day, so surely at some point he could-- 

“Good morning, Prince Noctis.” 

“How are you this morning, Your Highness?” 

A chorus of similar greetings echoed around their home room. Prompto’s eyes finally peeled away from his phone screen as a dark haired figure ambled into the room, bag over one shoulder, eyes distant, mouth a flat line across his face. 

“Morning,” The coldly polite response garnered more than a few disappointed faces, as Noctis continued past the first few rows of desks towards the window seats. 

He passed the seat he’d chosen for himself the day prior to the conspicuous dismay of the girls who had sat around him yesterday. At the front of Prompto’s row, an auburn haired young man patted the back of chair beside his own desk. 

“Prince Noctis, good morning! If you’re looking for a new seat, we saved a one for you here--”

“Thanks, but no,” Noctis' drawl left little room for argument. 

He walked past the group of noble-born students without even sparing a glance. Violet eyes watched, slightly wide, as the prince made his way closer, until his bag clunked down on the desk just behind Prompto. 

With the prince no longer blocking his line of sight, the heat of the glares from the group at the front of his row burned straight into Prompto. He offered a slightly awkward smile, hoping to ease the sudden tension, but mostly relieved for the retaliation of their turned backs instead. He'd much rather suffer their neglect than attention anyway. 

“Hey,” a tap followed on his own shoulder. The coldness was gone from the prince’s voice, in its place something akin to eagerness. 

Prompto turned, his smile melting into something much more natural, even if his teeth shyly found the corner of his lips. 

“Morning, Noctis!” 

A half smile tugged one side of the prince’s mouth as he slouched back in his chair. 

“You get my add request?” 

“Oh, yeah... But, um...” 

Nerves made him chuckle a little, and Prompto internally cringed at how stupid he sounded. His hand absently ran through his hair, biding time as he forgot everything he had planned to say. Noctis watched, but offered no words. Biting the bullet, he plowed forward with the simple truth, voice low so as not to attract too much attention.

“I, uh, wasn’t really sure if this was you? You mentioned getting past the secret boss in chapter twenty four, but this account is still only on chapter nine. So I thought that was a little weird....” His lips pursed into a pout that was mostly petulant, despite his attempts to portray annoyance, “You making fun of me or something?” 

The prince eyed Prompto as he gestured to his phone screen and the pending request. Noctis glanced at the device, then shifted to glare at a girl who was obviously trying to eavesdrop. She turned abruptly in her chair, flipping aimlessly through her book. Prompto couldn’t help but notice that his eyes were the deep blue of water reflecting a starless sky. When the prince’s attention returned to him, the other corner of his mouth slowly formed symmetry with the first. 

“Actually, just checking to see if you were paying attention,” Noctis pulled his phone out and thumbed across the screen for a few seconds, “Sycophants bore me.” 

“Dude, I don’t even know what that means...” Prompto startled when the phone buzzed in his hand, a second notification flashing on his screen, “Huh...”

______________________________

7:23am

~~King’s Knight~~

♠SomnusRex has sent a friend request to ♫Silver_Chocobro

_______________________________

Prompto stared at it. Around their classroom, he could feel dozens of eyes on them, and he thought of Lady Lunafreya’s words. 

“But, I think I get it...” Prompto said slowly as he accepted the second request, flashing a grin at Noctis, “Does this mean I passed some sort of test?” 

Noctis raised his brows, “Who said it’s over?” 

“Whatever, dude!” Prompto stuck out his tongue, puffing up, “I’m not afraid of a challenge! Hey-- wanna play a round on lunch break?” 

Noctis still hadn’t stopped looking at him, and it made Prompto feel a little warm in his cheeks. 

“Depends,” Noctis smirked, “Are you a sore loser?”

An unguarded laugh bubbled out of Prompto, “We’ll see who’s sore when I’m through with you!”  

“Oh, it’s on .” 

“Alright everyone, to your seats please,” their instructor finally walked in, prompting everyone to return to their proper places as their lesson started. 

Prompto glanced at his phone one more time. The original notification still lighting up the menu. Smiling to himself, he held his finger on the note until the little trash icon appeared, taking the fake request with it. 

“Argentum, put it away or I’ll take it away.” 

“Y-Yes, M’am!”

The classroom filled with snickering aimed in his direction, but it was hard to care when he was riding high on this sudden feeling. Like the feeling of getting just the right lighting for a shot, or beating a boss in King’s Knight , or acing a test.

Or just, keeping a promise. 

Chapter Text

“Awww, man-- ” 

Prompto’s forehead thunked against the posting board as he groaned. If this first score was any indication of how he was going to fare this year, well then... 

“Heh, Argentum. Did you even study ?” 

His shoulders hitched up to his ears for a moment, before he forced them to relax. He turned around with a shrug and a cheerful laugh.  

“Yea, can you believe it? Totally wasted that time though, huh?” he waved his notebooks towards the board showcasing everyone’s grade on the first major chemistry exam of the semester.

“I’m sure someone with a much better pedigree than you had to give up their spot at this school just for your charity case. The least you could do is make an effort.” 

Prompto kept his smile in place, though it didn’t reach his eyes. His tone was as light-hearted as his words were sharp, “Seeing as you made even less effort than me, how about you donate your spot, Lucretius?” 

A red brow twitched, as a few chuckles echoed around the hall of crowded students. Lucretius’ gaze flinched over to scan the board, face darkening as he spotted his name just three spots shy of the bottom. With a sneer he slapped Prompto’s notebooks out of his hands, sending them careening to the floor before stalking away. 

“Dude! Laaame ,” Prompto called after him, hands curled into fists at his sides.

Around him, those who witnessed the scene either awkwardly drifted away from his strewn papers, or just turned their backs on him. Same shit, different day. Prompto rolled his eyes with a sigh, bending down to gather his things from the ornate tile. 

One of his notebooks appeared suddenly in his line of sight. He trailed his eyes up from the pale hand holding it, to find himself face to face with a frowning Noctis. When he took it, the prince turned back to pick up the last of Prompto’s things from the floor.

“What was that all about?” Noctis asked as he stood, holding out a hand to pull Prompto up with him. 

“Oh-- uh thanks, um--” Prompto faltered under the prince’s steady gaze, fingers scratching the back of his neck, “Just clumsy I guess...”

Noctis’ frown deepened. His eyes shifted down the hall in the direction that Lucretius had gone off. Prompto struggled to think of a distraction. Anything to keep Noctis from asking what he knew was coming. To hold on to the illusion just a little bit longer that he was not actually just a nerdy loser that always got picked on. For once he was cool to someone, and astrals be damned, he wanted that to last just a teensy bit longer. When Noctis opened his mouth to speak, Prompto interrupted, jabbering quickly and perhaps a little too eagerly. 

“So, you’re here to check your grades right? It’s not like treason to post them up with us plebes is it?”

Noctis blinked then snorted, letting go of whatever he’d been about to say. Prompto considered that a success. Thank you very much.

“No, I don’t think it is. Though I doubt anyone would dare to comment on them,” Noctis drawled, eyes rolling over to scan the list. 

Curiosity got the better of Prompto. He looked towards the top of the list, expecting to see the Crown Prince within the highest percentile, if not at the very top. But when he could not find the prince’s name, his eyes scrolled down... and down ... and...

“ Dude!! What the hell even!” Prompto burst out laughing, fingers tangling in his hair in disbelief, “You did worse than me?! Did you sleep through the exam??” 

Around them, the hall had gone silent . 

Those close enough to hear Prompto’s outburst, eyed the prince warily, or glared at the blonde for his insolence. Noctis, for his part, stood with his hands in his pockets, blue eyes wide and brows creeping towards his hairline. 

Prompto had a full nausea-inducing thirty seconds to wonder if he’d seriously overstepped some unspoken boundary. He had after all only been properly acquainted with the prince for a couple of months now. Noctis had just said, no one ever commented on his performance and-- 

Color started to rise up the prince’s neck and into his face, his shoulders hunching just a tiny fraction. 

“I mean, yeah , but only for like-- half of it...” Noctis mumbled, rubbing his nose. 

Prompto nearly dropped his books again as laughter weakened his grip on them, “S-Say what now??” 

“S-Shut up! You didn’t do much better, and you weren’t sleeping.” 

Prompto couldn’t answer. In fact, he had to hang off the Noctis’ shoulder just to keep himself upright during his fit of mirth. Around them, people stared flabbergasted at his brazen familiarity with the prince. He couldn’t care less because Noctis started chuckling with him, shoving him away in teasing retaliation. 

“Ow geez,” he rubbed at his eye blinking when one felt uncharacteristically blurry. He was still out of breath as he looked about the floor, “I think-- I cried out a contact.” 

“Serves you right,” Noctis grumbled, setting off a more controlled fit of giggles in the blonde. “You got spares?”

“Yeah, in my locker. I gotta get my food anyways. Meet you up top for lunch?” 

“You mean your nasty greens?” Noctis pulled a face, but smiled crooked when that got Prompto laughing again, “Alright, see you there.” 

Nodding with a salute, Prom turned in the opposite direction towards his locker. 

When classmates noticed the prince staying behind in their homeroom to eat his lunch with Prompto, they slowly started following suit. Their first week of peaceful, relaxed lunch breaks slowly became tense and sullen. The prince clammed up more and more with each busy body that stayed behind with them, trying to interact with the prince and interrupting their, until then, fun conversations and rounds of King’s Knight . 

Midway through their third week of school, Noctis had grabbed him by the wrist as soon as the lunch bell rang and pulled him out of the classroom. He led them to a service stairwell that opened up onto the roof. How Noctis obtained the code to get up there, Prompto didn’t know and didn’t ask. The privilege of being invited where no one else was, was not lost on him and he wanted to do as little to jeopardize it as possible.

The halls were starting to empty as students piled into the cafeteria for their food, or outside to enjoy their midday break. Prompto reached his locker, squinting to make sure it was his with his one good contact and started turning the dial. 

“Hey charity case!” 

Before he could even cry out, a very sticky and very cold liquid drenched him nearly down to his toes. He sputtered and tried to scrub it out of his eyes, nearly slipping as the substance coated the floor around him. Squinting at his red stained hands, Prompto flailed with a cry, thinking for a moment it was blood all over him. His collar was pulled back, making him choke as it dug tightly into his neck to leave an opening in the back.

Several dozen freezing lumps slid down his back and piled at the waist of his tucked in shirt as he thrashed and yelped. Managing to break free of the grip holding him, laughter swirled around him as he tugged at his shirt frantic.  

“Cold-- cold-- cold--” 

Ice cubes hit the floor with a clatter, spinning and shooting off in different directions across the tile as he ripped his shirt out of his pants. A large hand pressed against his chest and pushed him hard into the lockers behind him. The metal handles dug painfully into his back. He rubbed more of the red liquid from his eyes with his palm, and blinked at the half blurred smug face of Lucretius. Two other boys from his class loomed behind wearing smirks, holding a giant plastic tub between them.

“The next time you feel like sassing me in front of his Highness--” Lucretius spoke low and threatening. 

Prompto tried not to look away, tried not to give him that win. But when Lucretius pulled the front of his shirt and slammed him into the lockers again, he flinched with a pained gasp. His eyes found the floor after that, as the redhead leaned in closer to breathe in his face.

“You just remember this. Got it, charity case?” 

He refused to respond, even if his breath was shaky when Lucretius finally released him. 

Their footsteps had faded down the empty hall when Prom’s legs practically gave out from under him. He slid down to the slippery wet floor. For several moments, he focused on just breathing and shut his eyes tight against the burning feeling. After a few minutes, he opened them to look at the red puddle on the ground. 

It was goopy, cold, and sticky , like those frozen slush drinks sold in the cafeteria. Dumb assholes... His eyes prickled again and he chewed his lip hard, forcing himself to his feet. 

With shaky hands, he wrung out his shirt and jacket as best he could. His pants were a lost cause, but at least his jacket was dark enough that the staining didn’t show as much. Everything was soaked in the slush, but maybe he could rinse the worst of the mess out.... How would he get it to dry though? He rubbed a hand through his hair, groaning as it came away wet and sticky too.

Abandoning his locker for the nearest restroom, Prompto forced himself to take deep even breaths as he slipped and skid along the hallway. His eyes remained glued to the ornate stone floors. He prayed that no one else wandered by in that moment to ask any stupid questions. Or more likely, laugh. 

The boys’ room was blessedly empty when he entered. A mirror spanned the length of the large room, mounted over the row of sinks that lined the wall all the way back to an arched window of frosted glass. He waited until the last possible moment to look at himself when he finally paused at a sink.  

His jacket looked noticeably darker where the drink had soaked in. Below it, his once white uniform shirt was a light red that was just shy of looking like he’d participated in a gruesome murder. The only tie he owned was now ruined, its once yellow stripes a deep red-orange that he was unsure if he’d be able to wash out. And his hair-- gone was his signature sunny blonde, in its place what looked like a bad dye job that meant to be red but ended instead as a pink orange. How in the hell was he going to get this out of his hair before class? 

Prompto stared at his half blurred reflection for a long time. He finally scrubbed at his eye to loosen his remaining contact and pinched it out to toss it in the bin. A tear leaked from the irritated eye, rolling down his cheek. Another followed. Then another, but from the other side.

With a growl of frustration, he turned on the water and dunked his whole head under the faucet, scrubbing as hard as he could for as long as he could stand it. He gasped as he pulled his head back up, dripping water everywhere. It didn’t matter much when he was already soaked. Though the tightness in his chest did not really lessen, at least he wasn’t crying anymore. The water ran pink in the sink as he heaved a shuddery sigh above it, grip tight on the edges of the porcelain. 

He might as well rinse his shirt while he was here, before the stains set in and he had no hope of washing them out. Pulling off his tie and tossing it in the sink, shaky hands struggled with his buttons as the bathroom door creaked open slowly.

Prompto looked up, eyes widening. 

The somewhat blurry image of Noctis stood at the door, stopped dead in his tracks. 

Much like the first day of school, his deep blue eyes travelled up and down Prom’s frame before raising back up to his face. His expression was hard to read, a near reactionless veneer. Prompto felt his face begin to burn with heat the longer the prince stood motionless. 

“H-Hey, Noctis... Just um, had a little accident with a--” he struggled for an excuse, fingers clutching hard at his shirt to hide their trembling. Still, he attempted a smile, “Um... might be ah, a little late for l-lunch...s’ok if you can’t wait up for me--” 

The first bit of emotion broke through to the prince's mask. Noctis clicked his tongue and scoffed. 

Blood ran cold and slow through his veins at the sound, his smile slipping. But before Prom could formulate any kind of response, Noctis turned on his heel and left. 

The door swung back and forth on creaking hinges in the prince’s wake.

Prompto watched it slowly teeter to a stop in silence. Wet hair dripped down his neck, his stained shirt drying sticky against his skin. The earlier tightness in his chest returned tenfold as anxiety and doubt wrapped around his ribcage like a vice. His heartbeat thrummed fast in his ears as he bit his lip.

His hitching breaths were barely audible over the running of the open faucet echoing loudly off the tiled walls.

Chapter Text

It took several long minutes of shaky uneven breaths to calm himself back down in the emptiness of the lonely bathroom. 

Trembling fingers eventually managed to unhook his last button in spite of the tears blurring his vision. His shirt peeled away from his skin like a damp bandaid. It slapped wetly against the sink as he moved it under the running water, squeezing out as much of the red drink as possible. The water quickly pooled pink in the basin as it drained slowly. Letting the ruined shirt just soak under the spray for a few minutes, he wet some paper towels and focused on wiping as much of the stickiness off his face and body as he could reach.

Hinges screeched noisily as the door opened again with much more force this time, nearly swinging into the opposite wall. Noctis stepped through slightly out of breath, scowl on his face, and phone pinned between his ear and his shoulder as he balanced several things in his arms to lock the door behind him. 

“Yes, I know you just left here... So? Just turn around then!” The prince growled in a spoiled royal tone Prom had never heard him use before. 

Noctis pulled the phone from his ear with a huff, and disconnected the call. Shoving the phone in his pocket, he finally stopped to look up at him. His face gentled considerably as he took in Prompto’s red face, damp frumpled form looking small as he crossed his arms over his shirtless chest when the boy belatedly remembered he was half undressed. 

Water splashed loudly onto the tile floor, the sink overflowing as the shirt he had left in it clogged the drain. 

“Shit--” Prompto cursed, pulling at the waterlogged cloth to clear the drain only to splash more water onto himself and the floor, “ Fuck--” 

Noctis was suddenly beside him, cautiously reaching around his shaking hands to turn off the faucet handles, “I got it. Here--” 

A towel landed on Prompto’s head then, partially obscuring his sight. He pulled it back to clear his vision, just as another towel was wrapped around his shoulders and warm hands rested on his upper arms. The draining sink gurgled and sputtered a few times before he gathered the courage to meet Noctis’ gaze. 

Prompto was too exhausted to hold the intensely direct stare, so he let his eyes fall to the prince’s frown before lowering them further to stare numbly at the wet floor. When he couldn’t find words to fill the silence, Noctis did not press him, but the grip on his arms squeezed slightly. The prince only pulled away to riffle through the pile of things he haphazardly abandoned in a dry sink, when Prompto stupidly clogged the one in front of him. 

“Here, this should fit you right? Oh-- it’s kinda wrinkled... But it’s clean, I swear. Ignis always forces me to keep an extra one in my locker. It pisses me off that now I got to thank him for it,” Noctis held up one of his-- indeed wrinkled-- uniform shirts, his eyes rolling as he mentioned a name Prompto did not know. Then his brow shifted to worry as he looked down at Prom’s pants again, “I don’t have extra uniform slacks though... do you, um-- want me to get your gym clothes?”  

“I--” Prompto struggled to speak around the lump in his throat, “I took them home to wash yesterday...” 

“Oh. Okay, then uh...” Noctis fidgeted, “Um, I brought mine just in case-- I know it’s kinda weird, but they’re dry and look, I haven’t even used them at all.” 

He held up a pair of designer brand joggers, showing Prompto the store tag as proof of their mint condition. The blonde’s eyes nearly fell out of his face when he looked at the price though. He huffed a laugh that ended up sounding a little more like a sob than he wanted it too. Noctis’ hands found his shoulders again, giving a reassuring squeeze. 

“Prom....” The prince had never called him that nickname before, and it startled Prompto enough to meet his worried gaze, “What the hell happened?” 

“I--” his voice cracked, and he swallowed, looking away again, “I kinda don’t want to talk about it right now...” 

Prompto watched in the reflection of the mirror as the prince’s face softened. He moved a hand from the blonde’s shoulder to his head, rubbing the towel with gentle motions through his hair. 

“Okay,” Noctis’ voice was a low rumble that made a shiver run up his spine, “Okay, that’s fair.” 

The prince’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, tone shifting to annoyed again.

“Took you long enough. Yeah... No. Just wait out there. Whatever ....”  he hung up, and looked at Prompto with an almost sheepish expression, “Er-- I, uh, got us a ride.”

Prompto’s brow slowly furrowed, looking up with red rimmed eyes, “A ride...? Ride where?” 

“Out of here. Home, if you want, or wherever you want to go,” Noctis tugged at his tie. Prompto had seen the motion quite a few times during the past few weeks. It dawned on him that it was a nervous tick. 

“But...” he replied tiredly, rubbing at eyes that felt puffy, “We still have half a day of class...”

“Uh-- I told the nurse that I found you getting sick in the bathroom, so you needed to go home. She’s writing you a medical leave excuse so you won’t get dinged on attendance for missing the rest of the day.” 

“But-- she won’t do that without like, doing a check-up first--” 

“Yea, well I may or may not have commanded it... Turns out, being a prince comes in handy from time to time...” 

 “You... commanded it?” He felt like his brain was spinning through mud, “Isn’t that like-- abuse of power or something?” 

Noctis laughed softly, pulling the towel down over his eyes, “Maybe it was a little overkill. But hey, it worked.”

His vision narrowed on the joggers Noctis had handed him. The glossy price tag reflected the light filtering in through the window. Stomach clenching, he curled his fingers tighter around the fabric.  

“Noctis, I-- I can’t take these...” 

“Hm? Uh, they might be a little big, but they’re drawstring.  Should still work--”

“No I mean--” He was glad for the towels covering him when he felt the heat of a flush spread from his chest to his face, “This, this stuff kinda... s-soaked all the way through... to my undies, man... I’m gonna ruin these pants if I put them on--”

“Don’t worry about it,” Noctis interrupted him, voice quiet, “I have a ton more at home just like them. It’s not a problem.”

“Dude,” Prompto hated how small he sounded, “These are like... super expensive... I can’t just take these.”

“ Dude ,” the prince imitated him, pulling the towel back from his reddened face to look him in the eye again, one brow raised, “I’m doing you a favor. Accept it.” 

His stomach knotted further, but Prompto didn’t know how to articulate his unease. A favor was letting him borrow his math notes. Or helping him play through a difficult chapter in King’s Knight . Not gifting him runway designer clothes to ruin... Not commanding school administration to release him early for the day.

His silence gave the prince pause, and Noctis searched his eyes, “Hey, you okay?” 

~Hey charity case!~

Prompto stepped back to put space between them, and Noctis tilted his head.  

“I’m--” he swallowed, “I’ll go change...” 

He took the pants and shirt from a worried looking Noctis and stepped into the handicap stall so he wouldn’t be cramped. His slacks plopped onto the floor with little ceremony, and he was glad that the joggers were black or the liquid that had stained even his boxers would show when it bled through. Before donning the shirt, he pulled off the red-soaked wrist band from his right arm and rinsed it out in the handicap stall sink. Squeezing out as much water as he could, he slipped it back over the black ink on his wrist, making sure it was snug. 

The shirt was just a smidge too wide at the shoulders for him, and the joggers slipped a little lower than they were probably meant to over his slim hips. He pulled the drawstring as tight as he could, glad that the uniform button up was long enough to overlap. His shoes squelched as he exited the stall, attracting the attention of the prince once more. 

“I didn’t think to get socks...” Noctis mumbled. 

Prompto sighed and rolled the towel around his neck as he leaned his head back, “It’s fine-- My shoes are full of the shit. I’d just ruin a good pair of socks...” 

Noctis opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it, pressing his lips together for a moment before finally settling on asking,  “You ready?” 

“Sure!” Prompto said with false cheer, voice still scratchy, “Can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of my new trend setting look!” 

“No one’s going to see you, Prom.” Noctis spoke quietly, but there was a determined edge to his voice. 

“Noctis,” he dropped the fake levity and allowed some frustration to shine through, “The bell’s about to ring. There’s people probably already back from break...” 

“Hey,” Noctis leaned in front of him, dipping his head to look into Prom’s downturned face, “Don’t forget who you’re with. Put your stuff in here and just follow me.” 

The prince held up a duffel bag, and Prompto took the cue to place his wet items in it. Confused, but willing to follow on faith alone, he tried not to cower behind Noctis as they exited the restroom. The hall was still blessedly empty. However, instead of turning them towards the main exit, Noctis led them to a door that read, ‘STAFF ONLY’. 

“Hey, uh, Noctis...I don’t think we can go in--” 

Prompto trailed off as Noctis removed a pin from his lapel and swiped it over the door’s keypad. The light flashed blue, then beeped and the lock audibly opened. Noctis stepped through into a narrow corridor, pausing only when he noticed Prompto stayed outside. 

“You coming?” 

“W-What is this?” Prompto ducked inside and the prince shut the door behind them. It locked automatically. 

“One of the reasons I’m allowed to attend this school,” Noctis explained as he lead them down the cramped hall. “If anything were to happen and I need to leave without anyone being alerted, there are servant corridors that were retrofitted to serve as security passages for a discreet exit. This building was once a royal residence several generations ago.” 

“O-Oh...” 

Prompto hovered at the prince’s heels, uncomfortable from how close the walls were to their shoulders in the dimly lit passage. There were so many twists and turns, he could not keep track. The hallway seemed to press closer, squeeze tighter, the longer they walked until he was almost unable to breathe. When Noctis finally reached a door that he opened, Prompto nearly barreled past him in an effort to escape the unyielding crush of the corridor.

“Holy Shiva--” he gasped, back bent as he leaned his hands on his knees and tried to catch his breath, “W-Warn a guy next time!” 

Noctis’ hand rested warm on the back, “Sorry... I didn’t know you didn’t like tight spaces...” 

He would have preferred to step out into the sun, but at least the walls here didn’t feel like they were grasping for him. For an underground parking garage, the space was remarkably well lit and decorated with the same elaborate gilded stonework of the school grounds. Fitting, if as Noctis had said, the entire place was formerly a palace. 

“This day just keeps getting better, and better....” He muttered, feeling sorely out of place amidst the surrounding splendor. 

“What was that?” Noctis asked. 

Before Prompto could answer, the click of shoes on the pavement caught his attention. Approaching them was a young man, a few years older than them perhaps. He carried himself with a poise that screamed noble upbringing. His sharp dress suit and the expensive looking frames that adorned his face just solidified the image. 

“Your Highness,” he sounded more than a tad put out even though he addressed Noctis formally, “You neglected to give me an address.” 

“Well, I didn’t get that far okay?” Noctis replied curtly. 

Prompto looked between the two as they seemed to have a staring contest. The taller man relented first, turning to Prompto and nodding to him as he held out his hand. 

“Begging your pardon. I am Ignis Scientia, royal retainer, pleased to make your acquaintance.” 

“Prompto...Argentum...” he stared at the man’s hand feeling self conscious of his too big borrowed shirt, and stained wristband as he shook it with his own clammy one, “N-Nice to meet you too...” 

“The car is ready. If you would please advise where we are to escort you, we can depart.” 

Prompto stared at Ignis, before shifting his gaze to said car. Said, very fancy, very royal car. Movement by one of the pillars caught his eye. He realized with a start that there were several crownsguard posted about the garage, standing at attention as they waited for the crown prince and his guest to board the vehicle. 

“Of course I can get this to wash out, your Highness,” Ignis sounded mildly exasperated, when Prompto tuned back into the conversation between the prince and ... whatever Ignis was within the royal’s entourage. 

“Well, I’m just saying if it's a hassle, then maybe it’d just be easier to get another uniform,” Noctis returned, brow furrowed in annoyance.

“I--” Prompto interrupted, but froze when the weight of their full attention fell upon him, “I can’t afford another uniform right now.... So if-- if you know how to get it out, then I’d really like to know...” 

The sharp edges seemed to melt from Ignis’ expression as he listened to Prompto, “I could text instructions if you like, along with which laundering agents to use for the most effective results.” 

“That,” Prompto sighed with relief, “That would be great actually--” 

“That’s dumb,” Noctis pulled a face, “I’ll just buy you another one.” 

~Hey charity case!~

Prompto felt the tightness returning to his chest as the jibe rang in his mind. He looked back at the prince, “Thanks for the offer but-- you really don’t have to do that.” 

“It’s not a problem. Look,” Noctis’ eyes lit up with stubborness, messing with his phone a moment, before showing Prompto the screen, “It’s done. No take backs.” 

Reading the bold ‘order placed’ on the screen made his stomach do a small flip. He hugged himself hoping it would ease his nervous guts. Prompto turned to their older companion, seeking an ally. 

“Could you maybe still text me those instructions? And also, like-- cancel that order when he’s not paying attention or something?” 

“Hey! I’m right here, you know!” 

The corners of Ignis’ mouth twitched upwards as he answered, “Yes, to both.”

“Okay let me just-- Fuck, shit -- my phone!!” 

Prompto dove for the bag containing his wet items. Finding his uniform jacket, he dug frantically in the pocket pulling out an old off-brand phone. It was dripping. 

“Shit, shit, shit--”

Not even thinking in his panic, he rubbed his sleeves all over the phone trying to get it dry. 

“Ahem, Prompto, perhaps--” Ignis proffered a handkerchief. 

“Oh fuck, sorry, sorry, I--” Looked at the sleeves of his freshly borrowed, and now newly ruined shirt. 

“Nevermind that, it’ll wash,” Ignis spoke calmly, vigorously rubbing the phone free of the sticky residue before handing it back, “Here, try the screen.” 

Shaky fingers tapped it. No response. He pressed the home button. Nothing. Holding the power button down, he waited with bated breath. 

“C’mon, c’mon -- Yes!!” The screen flickered to life. Then skewed sideways... then pixelated black so only about half the screen was visible, “No, no, no... ” 

“I would recommend the rice bath trick, but seeing as this was not a water incident per se... I am not certain if it will produce the same results. My condolences, Prompto,” Ignis breathed out a sigh, folding the stained handkerchief and slipping it into a hidden pocket.

Great, he felt like crying again. His eyes twitched shut in an effort to stop the looming tears, and bit at his lower lip. 

“Hey, no worries,” Noctis laid a hand on his shoulder, “I can get you a new one. That model was kinda outdated anyway.” 

“ Noctis ,” Ignis side-eyed the prince sharply, tone reprimanding.

“What?” the prince snapped.

“It worked just fine for me...” Prompto mumbled out, annoyance flaring at the rather flippant disregard Noctis seemed to have for their different circumstances.

“Err, I didn’t mean it like that . Seriously, my bad,” Noctis smiled at him before continuing, “Look, why don’t we stop to get one on the way home?” 

“Noct, perhaps--” Ignis cautioned as he glanced at Prompto.

“Oh come off it, Specs. We’re already leaving, what’s a little pit stop along the way?” 

“Look-- Thanks but no thanks, okay? I can't afford another phone. I’ll-- I'll figure this out,” Prompto shook his head, not able to look at Noctis, so he turned the phone over and over in his hands, “It might be salvageable still. It just sucks to have it not working for.... however long it’s gonna take.”  

Noctis shrugged him off, “It won’t have to suck, because I’ll get you a new one. Just name the model, and it’s done.” 

~Hey charity case!~  

He blew his bangs out of his face, before saying seriously, “Thank you... But, I can’t accept that.”

“Sure you can,” Noctis insisted.

“ No ,” It came out sharper than intended. Prompto took a calming breath before continuing, “No. I can’t , Noctis.” 

The prince actually pouted, “Why not?” 

~Hey charity case!~ ~Hey charity case!~ ~Hey charity case!~ 

“Because, I don’t want your money, okay?” Prompto scrubbed a hand through his damp hair, words spilling out faster the more his nerves roiled in his guts. He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his newly gifted pants and stretched the fabric, “These pants are like two whole month’s rent for me and I’ve already ruined them. I’m not taking anything else from you.”

Ignis had the decency to keep a straight face, standing relaxed with his hands crossed behind his back. Noctis for his part looked like he’d been slapped. When the prince could think of nothing to say, Ignis cleared his throat.

“If it helps, I have a notebook in the car. I’ll just notate the instructions for you, excuse me a moment,” Ignis offered a quick bow that felt like an apology, but when he turned to the prince his eyes sharpened and some silent communication passed between the two that made the prince’s face sour. 

Prompto stood with hunched shoulders, hands still buried in his pockets before a sullen Noctis who in turn crossed his arms. 

“I just wanted to help...” Noctis grumbled, in what was decidedly not an apology.

~H  e  y        c  h  a  r  i  t  y        c  a  s  e !~  

“By what?” Prompto’s eyelashes were wet when he glared up at Noctis, “Rubbing in my face that I’m a plebe?”

“What?!” Noctis had the nerve to look shocked, “ No --”

“So, what’s the plan? We’re just gonna roll into my neighborhood in a Rolls Royce? Do you even know where I live? What would happen if people saw me step out of a car like that on my block?” 

The silence from Noctis only kindled irritation to accompany his growing distress.

“No? Well, let me tell you, your Highness .”

Noctis flinched.

“The local street gang would probably start following me around, thinking I had valuable shit on hand they could mug off me. Or, they’d just try to break into my apartment while I wasn’t home,” Prompto could feel the tears start rolling down his hot cheeks, but the words poured out of him fast and breathless like a bursting dam, fueled by the last hour of mounting anxiety and self-doubt. Now that it bubbled to the surface, he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to, “Hell, they’d probably break in even if I was home. And then, if the landlord didn’t blame me for that kind of trouble and kick me out, she’d probably raise my rent thinking I’m some kind of old rich fart’s sugar baby and could afford the hike. But Prince Noctis would be getting his good deed of the day done, so what the hell right?” 

“ What-- What the hell , Prom? Are-- Are you joking ?” Noctis stuttered, clearly still trying to wrap his head around it all, “Do you-- Do you need--” 

“ Money ?” 

Noct’s face pinched, “Prompto, that’s not-- ”

“Am I just a charity case to you too, Noctis?” Prompto’s voice was numb. 

“H-Huh?” Noctis floundered for a response, looking alarmed and confused. 

Prompto laughed. He laughed so he wouldn’t sob. But when he felt his face crumbling, he turned, needing to just-- just be anywhere but where Noctis could see him fall apart. A hand on his shoulder stopped him. 

“Leave me alone!” It came out sharper than he intended, but Noct’s hand pulled away as if he’d been burned. 

The sound of a clearing throat pulled his attention away from the devastated prince, to an awkward looking Ignis. In his hand he held a note as promised. 

“I take it... you will not be necessitating a ride then?” 

There was no judgement in the other man’s voice, but still Prompto felt his face redden with embarrassment. He shook his head. Ignis nodded to him, then motioned towards an elevator that he had not noticed. 

“This elevator will return to you the surface level, about one block to the nearest subway station,” Ignis hesitated a moment, an unreadable emotion flickering behind his glasses,  “It was a pleasure meeting you, even under these circumstances, Prompto.” 

“Yea... Sorry you had to see that...” Prompto’s voice wavered, as he took the note. 

“Prom...” Noctis sounded so genuinely worried. Prompto couldn’t look at him.

“I need to just...” He winced as his voice cracked, “Not be around you for a little while, okay?” 

Silence. 

Prompto took it for acceptance, and started walking away, “I’ll... see you tomorrow I guess.” 

Even to him, it sounded like an empty promise. 

Chapter Text

The forty-five minute commute home was less crowded than usual, given that he was travelling home a little after midday. He sat in a nearly empty car, watching the dark city tunnels whip past the windows with dull eyes all the way home. His sullen daze nearly made him miss his stop, and he had to sprint out before the doors closed on him. 

The moody quiet followed him wherever he went. With none of the afternoon rush hour’s bustling activity present, his neighborhood felt like a foreign landscape. He paused his journey home only to enter the corner grocery and pick up the supplies on the note Ignis had given him. Much to his surprise, everything listed was a common affordable brand, and the kind old woman who ran the grocery allowed him to add the items to his tab for the week. 

Walking out of the store a few bags heavier, the rest of his trip home was remarkably uneventful. Though he was unused to the quietness, he was glad to have little audience to stare or comment on his disheveled appearance. He made it inside his front door without a single incident. 

There safe inside his dimly lit, tight-quartered apartment, he sagged to the floor and finally allowed himself to breakdown. 

When his chest was no longer heaving, and his nose had stopped dripping, he rubbed at swollen sore eyes-- glad to have already removed his contacts. Abandoning his bags on the floor, he gathered his pajamas and stepped into the shower to clean every inch of himself of the dreadful remnants of the slush still sticking to his skin. Even two shampoos later his hair was still slightly orange. 

Feeling clean helped soothe his overworked nerves at least in part, but there was always a little worm of unease wriggling through his gut even on the best of days. He puttered around his kitchenette, microwaving himself some instant oatmeal before sitting down to read through the instructions that Ignis had written for him. The most Prompto ever did was stuff his things in the washer, add too much soap, and hit the start button. The amount of detail and steps involved before placing the items in the wash cycle was ridiculous, but the precise instructions were simple and made the otherwise impossible task of getting his uniform back to normal something entirely doable; even for someone as unpracticed at the art of true laundering as he was. He almost enjoyed the challenge.

Except that, every time he looked at the soiled clothes, he remembered the penetrating gaze of deep blue eyes. Shocked. Worried.... Hurt . 

He shook his head to focus himself on the task at hand. After going through each pre-wash step that Ignis listed as accurately as he could manage, Prompto left his washing machine to do the heavy lifting. He’d know if he had failed or not when the cycle finished. What was left of his oatmeal had gone cold, but he kept eating it anyway. Chewing kept his mind from lingering too much on unwanted thoughts. 

Opening up his laptop, he ran a web search. Over a million entries confirmed he was not the first person in Lucis to have spilled a sugary drink all over his phone. It was a pain, but eventually he was able to get his phone opened up and every piece within it pulled apart. Sticky red fluid was evident in a lot of the main components. He sighed, teeth crunching on his spoon. 

The good news? He had all the tools and materials needed to clean was what salvageable. The bad news? He’d have to dip into his camera fund to order the components that needed replacing. 

Prompto turned to the poster on his wall of the Lokton LX-30 model camera. 

“Ugh, every time I get close to you, you slip away again...” Prompto whined to himself, but he needed his phone running again as soon as he could manage it.

The beep of his washer startled him, and he cursed as he tipped his luckily empty oatmeal mug over. Righting it before it rolled off the table, he rushed to the washer and held his breath as he opened the lid. 

“ No .... WAY!!!” 

Prompto stared amazed at the perfectly white cotton shirt sitting at the bottom of his washer. Not a trace of red on the fabric, and dare he say the whitest he’d ever seen his own clothing come out of the wash. What the hell did this Ignis guy do for a living exactly? 

If the stains could come out of his shirt so easily, he had no fear that his jacket and pants were saved as well. He nearly sagged with relief, feeling almost like hugging the clean piece of laundry after the day he’d had. Prompto turned to his laundry basket where he had left the shirt borrowed from Noct, the sleeves still red from his stupid attempt to dry his phone. He should have washed it together with his own, but he had been doubtful. Not of Ignis’ instruction, but of his capacity to succeed, and figured if push came to shove he could try again with the borrowed shirt if he failed with his own.

Prompto tore his gaze away from it and went about hanging his own shirt to dry. He set the washer again for his pants and jacket, feeling much more confident that everything would turn out alright... at least, as far as his clothes were concerned. His eyes wandered back to the prince’s shirt and his brow furrowed. 

Blue the color of a starless sky flashed through his mind.

With a sigh, Prompto scrubbed a hand through his hair and rested his forehead against the cool metal of the washer lid. Eventually he turned his head and looked across the small studio space to the note on the table. Leaving the machine to its task, he took a seat before his laptop again, pulling the note closer. At the end of it, Ignis had kindly noted an email to which Prompto could send questions, given that his phone was out of service. He typed it into the address bar, and started a message.

 

Heya Ignis! 

 

OMG! Thanks so much for the instructions, dude! You’re a total lifesaver-- well a uniform saver at least! It’s BETTER than when it was new!! Um, you did cancel that order right? I mean I appreciate Noctis doing that for me but well, thanks to you it’s not necessary-- But even if you hadn’t shown me how to clean it, it still wouldn’t have been, you know? Or if anything, I could have like paid him back for it in installments, worst case I guess? I dunno, I’m rambling. I’m sorry to bother!!!!! >_<  I just really wanted to say thanks because your instructions worked so well was all. 

 

Thanks again!! -- Prompto

 

Violet eyes reflected the glow of the screen as he proofread his message, but the more exclamation points he counted, the more his stomach twisted. His mouse hovered over the send button for a full minute, only to quickly click on ‘discard draft’ instead. The trash icon flashed on the screen, and with it the message was gone. 

Prom closed the laptop and pillowed his head in his arms, fingers buried in his hair.

He only moved again because the washer signaled the end of the second cycle and if he didn’t want to wear damp wrinkled pants the next day, he’d have to hang them up to dry. Once the laundry was finished, he headed into his bedroom and hesitated over what to do with the rest of his day. There was a tech shop downtown that sold second hand phone parts, and it was early enough that he could see if what he needed was available there so he didn’t have to order online and wait... 

There was a weight pressing on his chest that he could not seem to breathe around. Catching sight of a notebook on his desk, he sat down and ripped out a blank page. Writing out his thoughts usually helped. So Prompto wrote to the only person he ever thought might listen without judging him too harshly.

 

Dear Lady Lunafreya, 

 

I really messed up this time. 

 

Remember that time I fell face first in front of Noctis? Well times that by like fifteen hundred!!!!!! My exclamations are to emphasize the level of FAIL that happened! Okay?

 

I don't know if I can ever face him again after making a fool of myself like I did today. Things got a little messy, literally. And I said some things that I had wanted to keep-- well, secret sounds bad now that I think about it. There's things that I just wasn't ready for Noctis to know about me yet. Does that make sense? 

 

But today I freaked out, and blurted everything out in the worst way possible. All ‘cause I let some jackass get to me, and Noctis kinda paid the price for it in the end. I accused him of something pretty douchebaggy... does that make me the douchebag then? 

 

It’s just that for the first time, it felt like someone thought I was a cool kid. And it just so happened that that someone was this amazingly cool guy himself! It’s like someone was seeing me , and not just my background. I just wasn’t ready for that feeling to go away yet. Or for him to know, I’m just some dumbass trying to fit in where I’m not meant to. I didn’t want his pity. Or for him to treat me like I’m just another...

 

 

 

“Charity case...” He whispered aloud, his hand pausing on the page.

His eyes stung again, but his tears were exhausted for the day. Putting his pen down, he folded the letter, and placed it in an envelope that he did not bother to seal or address. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a change of clothes to head out to the tech shop. Sliding the top drawer open, he took out a pair of socks, then carefully opened his letter box nestled in the far corner. 

With a small exhale, he placed the new envelope in the box. It shifted alongside all of the other letters he wrote to the Oracle, but never had the courage to mail. 

The sight of his locker made his stomach knot. Though there was not a trace of the prior day’s prank, fear of a repeat incident made him hyper-aware of all movement around him. The visit slipped by uneventfully, however. He merely deposited the borrowed clothes from the day before in a neatly folded pile at the bottom of his locker. 

Prompto knew that to return the items, he would have to initiate a painfully awkward conversation with the prince. He just hoped it wouldn’t go as bad as their last one in the parking garage. With clammy hands, he held tightly to his bag and marched into their homeroom. Hardly anyone paid him any mind, save for one pair of green eyes that avidly followed his movements.

“Looking remarkably put together, Argentum,” Lucretius sounded just shy of disappointed as he looked Prompto up and down, “Surprised you have a spare uniform with your circumstances .” 

Prompto smiled purposely wide, making a peace sign with his free hand.

“Yea, there’s this neat invention called the ‘ washing machine ’ us plebes use. I’m sure your servants could teach you a thing or two about it. That is if they don’t drop dead first from you even asking about it.” 

He mentally kicked himself for his lack of filters, but it was kind of worth it to hear some snickering not directed at himself for once. When a chair screeched against the floor as Lucretius stood up from his desk and blocked his path though-- 

Prompto immediately regretted his smart mouth. 

“What did you say to me?” 

 By Shiva’s grace, their professor chose that moment to walk into the classroom.

“Seats everyone. Argentum, Pervicax. That means you too. Hop to it.” 

Prompto skirted around Lucretius, eyes trained to the floor to avoid instigating further conflict. But when he reached his desk, he paused bewildered to note that no sleepy dark haired prince occupied it. 

“Argentum! Do you want a detention?” 

“N-No, m’am-- sorry!” He hastily sat amidst the laughter of his classmates, resisting the urge to look at the empty seat behind him once more.

The rest of his morning consisted of nervously jiggling his leg, and distractedly reaching for his phone only to remember it was out of commission. At one point, he was called on by the professor only to have to admit to not paying attention. The giggling of his classmates was almost welcome, the only familiar feeling the day held so far. Prompto was used to being alone or singled out. 

Or at least, he had been. 

For the most part since the school year started, he was ignored by his classmates with the exception of Noctis. The quiet sluggishness of the day highlighted the prince’s absence. Even though Noctis was a mostly silent presence behind him, a pang of loneliness hit his chest sharply when he would turn to pass back a handout only to be greeted by his empty desk. 

As the lunch hour arrived, Prompto found himself a little lost on what to do. Normally, he and Noctis would head up to the roof. Somehow, it felt wrong to do so without him though, so Prom sat at his desk in indecision. The choice was made for him in the next moment. 

“Hey, Argentum.” 

Lucretius was approaching him, hands in his pockets. And Prompto didn’t really care to find out why . 

Grabbing his bag, he practically bolted from his desk and out of the classroom. He heard the other boy calling after him, and there were some heads that turned at his hurried pace down the hallway, but he ignored it all in favor of reaching the door to the roof access as quickly as possible. Skidding around the last corner to his destination, Prompto froze. 

Noctis was always the one to put the code in the keypad... 

Footsteps drew closer, echoing down the hall around the corner. Prompto inhaled and closed his eyes, trying to remember the pattern of motion the prince’s hand made every day. The keypad beeped as he shakily punched in the numbers. With a flash of blue, the door opened for him and the thrill of success surprised a laugh out of him.  

“You hear that? He’s this way--” 

“ Shit--” Prompto rushed through the door, and it locked behind him with an audible click as he leaned against it.

“Where’d he go? I thought I heard his stupid laugh...”

“Let’s check over here--” 

He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until their steps faded away. Exhaling loudly, he sagged with a hand over his heart. 

“Hooo boy... Guess that’s gonna be a thing now huh? Greaaat ,” Prom mumbled to himself, wiping his brow of sweat as he started up the staircase. 

Unsure that he’d be comfortable going back to his locker alone any time soon, he purposely kept his lunch in his bag that morning. Digging out the container of his usual salad mix, Prompto’s stomach gurgled loudly, desperate for a meal after he skipped breakfast in favor of not missing his train for school. He pried off the cover and pushed open the door leading onto the roof. Humming to himself as he popped a baby tomato in his mouth, he looked up and promptly lost his grip of the bowl. 

“ Noctis?!” 

The prince’s head shot up in alarm from where he sat leaning against the roof perimeter. Recognition washed over his features before his eyes flicked to the salad now littering the rooftop. Prompto openly gawked. 

“Have you-- been up here all morning??”

The prince yawned and pulled an earbud out, “What was that?” 

“Oh em gee-- Are you cutting class?!” The words tumbled out of his mouth because while Noctis may be prince of Insomnia, Prompto was king of not filtering his goddamn thoughts today. 

“Didn’t feel like going...” The prince’s expression sobered a bit, eyes still trained on the greens strewn by his feet, “Was that your lunch?” 

Prompto picked up the container and looked at the few pieces of vegetables and lettuce that survived the fall inside it. With a sigh, he drooped and hugged the tupperware close to his chest. 

“Most of it.... Ah, fuck me,” he whined in frustration. 

“Want--” 

Noctis cut himself off, a muscle at the his jaw twitched as though he was grinding his teeth. He was looking directly at Prompto, deep eyes full of uncertainty. 

“Want... half my sandwich?” The words were an almost timid. 

Prompto hovered in the doorway, arms tightening around the bowl at his chest as he chewed the corner of his lip. Guilt washed over him tight and unpleasant. He was the reason for the roiling discomfort in the air between them right now.  

“You-- don’t have to, I just--” It was strange to see Noctis stumble over his words like this, normally so confident and sure, “So you don’t have to go down to the cafeteria, you know?”  

Prompto thought of Lucretius prowling the halls looking for him, “Yea, no, makes sense. Uh... okay, I guess?”

He flicked his bangs out of the way, standing there awkwardly. It felt like they had gone all the way back to the first day of school, nervous and uncertain of each other’s intentions. Watching quietly as Noctis removed a wrapped sandwich from his bag, Prom ventured another question. 

“Why... didn’t you feel like going to class?” 

“My back hurt. I didn’t want to sit at a desk all day.” 

“So... a concrete rooftop-- is more comfortable?” Prompto stepped forward, letting the door slide closed behind. 

Noctis glanced at him with a pinched expression, “...No.” 

“Why’re you actually up here, Noctis?” 

The prince clicked his tongue, eyes darting to his lap to pick at the wax paper around the sandwich. Prompto restlessly munched on what little survived of his salad, giving the prince time to find his words. 

“Ignis said--” Noctis growled and scrubbed a hand through his hair. 

Prompto chewed slow and methodical, keeping his mouth shut and studying the prince. After a moment, Noctis continued, eyes firmly on his hands fiddling with the sandwich. 

“He said I should ‘ respect your wishes ’ and give you space today , ” Noctis badly imitated a Tenebraen accent, picking out a piece of lettuce and tossing it aside as he spoke, “But, I knew if I saw you today... I’d want to talk to you right away. I’d push you to talk right away... And if I saw-- Well, I’d mess things up more. And, I didn’t want to mess anything else up. So, I figured I'd just sit up here for a while and cool down. But then I guess, time got away from me...”

Prompto scrutinized this strangely shy, reserved Noctis, and remembered the prince as he was when they were both in elementary school. How sad and lonely Noctis always looked. How no one dared approach him, play with him, or even joke with him like a regular boy their age.

“You fell asleep didn’t you,” Prom said flatly around his mouthful. 

That shocked Noctis into meeting his gaze finally, raw and human. The reddening of his ears was all the confirmation Prompto needed. He couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up out of his belly. 

“P-Piss off!!” Noctis groused, and actually pouted, “You-- You know what? Go get your own damn sandwich, offer rescinded.” 

Prompto sat himself beside the other boy, still chuckling, “Hey... If I said I was really frickin sorry-- about yesterday-- could I get that offer reinstated?” 

“ What? ” Noctis turned to him with a sudden glare so intense that he almost shrunk away, “What the hell are you apologizing for??” 

Turning to his now empty salad bowl, Prompto shook his head in disbelief.

“I-- I freaked out on you, dude... that wasn’t cool. You were just trying to help me,” His voice went soft, “I was stuck in my head, and I wasn’t... I wasn’t giving you enough credit. You’re not like those other jerks... You’re maybe just a little overbearing sometimes.” 

He could feel Noctis watching him, but wasn’t ready to handle that searching stare so he just picked at a loose thread on his pants. 

“Just a little, huh?” Noctis huffed a self-deprecating laugh, “How about a lot? You were right to be pissed off at me yesterday.”

When Prompto peeked up to protest, but Noctis shook his head. 

“You were already having an awful day, and I made it worse by just assuming a bunch of stuff without even asking. I put you in a corner and made you feel like--” Noctis sounded angry, but Prompto could tell it was self-directed. The prince took a deep breath before continuing, “Look, you are not a charity case to me. Or just a good deed to check off. Or anything else like that okay? I’m just an ignorant ass sometimes.” 

Prompto watched him quietly as he spoke, face warming at the sincerity permeating the prince’s words. He chuckled at the end, taking his half of the sandwich as Noct handed it over.

“Only sometimes... but you’re pretty alright most of the time, Noctis.” 

The silence that fell between them then was no longer filled with apprehension. Prompto took an extra big bite of his food, feeling hungrier now that the tension was easing. They chewed in silence for a moment before Noctis drawled around a mouthful.  

“You stopped calling me prince.” 

Prompto looked up mortified, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk, stammering around his mouthful, “Oh shif-- shouf I be?”

“ No. ”

Prom blinked at the unusually emphatic response. 

“I just-- I was just,” It was the prince’s turn to stammer, “Curious is all.... why’d you stop?”

“Oh--” Prompto chewed for a bit as he thought it through, not having really noticed when the change occurred himself. “Well, I guess just because... I mean, you’re Noctis first, right?” 

He turned to the other boy with a shrug, surprised to find Noctis staring at him as if he’d just punched him in the gut. 

“You okay there, buddy?” Prom asked suddenly worried, hand finding the prince’s shoulder. 

“Yeah,” Noctis cleared his throat and took a breath, “Fine.” 

He opened his mouth as if to say something more, but closed it, and took another bite instead. As the minutes passed, the prince kept sneaking glances at him, pressing his lips together in the way that Prom had learned meant he wasn’t sure how to broach a subject. Prompto sighed. 

“You can ask...”

“So... what you said about your neighborhood...is it really... that bad?” 

“OH--” Prompto blurted a little too loudly, laughing with a frantic air, “Yeaaaah,um--  I kinda exaggerate when I’m super nervous! Hyperboles everywhere, dude!” 

Noctis narrowed his eyes at him.

“Seriously, buddy. Look, it is a little rough, I won’t deny that. But it’s totally cool! I just don’t bother anyone, and no one bothers me. Mutual respect, you know?”

The prince side-eyed him, brow furrowed pretty deep, “I guess, I wouldn’t really... Spent most of my time in the citadel. So I’ll... have to take your word for it.”

Prompto swallowed and nodded, smile more fragile than usual.

“You know you could tell me though, right?” Noctis faced him fully.

“Tell you what?”

“If something was happening-- if something was bothering you,” Noctis barely missed a beat, “Or someone...”

Prompto huffed, rubbing his face, “Some days, that’s a long ass list, Noctis.” 

“Why--” Noctis worked his jaw again, “Why haven’t you said anything before?”  

“I just... didn’t want you feeling like, morally obligated to hang out with me... I didn’t want your pity. Sometimes... It’s hard to believe that isn’t the only reason you hang out with me as it is, you know? I mean, I’m a nobody. I know that.”

“Dude, you’re like the only one around here, who treats me like a fucking person!” Noctis motioned around them, arms spread wide, “I was honestly starting to wonder if I even was one anymore before you came along.” 

The emotion in his words was so visceral, a shiver ran up Prompto’s spine.

“Noctis....”

“I just--” Noctis breathed loudly through his nose as he searched for the right words, “Everyone who talks to me seems to have an agenda of some kind. There’s always a catch, something they’re after. Hell, I’m so used to it, I can usually see it coming a mile away. But you...”

Dark blues eyes found his, and Prompto was captivated by an intensity that made him feel lost and unable to look away. 

“I couldn’t figure it out with you. What it was you wanted from me. I’ve even tested you to try and find out. Sometimes, you didn't notice because what I was getting at-- it’s not even on your radar. And when you have noticed, you’ve called me on my shit. No one else does that. It took me a minute to really believe that you just weren’t after anything at all. You just, I dunno , always seem so damn content to just be around me. Not Prince Noctis. Just me. Noctis. You never ask me for anything. Not a single damn thing. So don’t start now, by asking me not to care. Because I can’t give you that.” 

Prompto felt the heat radiating off his face, and his eyes burned. The prince’s gaze never wavered, but he couldn’t handle it any longer or his face might actually combust. His eyes fell to his lap, and it was a long time before Prom could speak around the lump in his throat.

“You are a person, Noct,” Prom said so soft, his words almost drifted away on the breeze, “You’re a really good person... I’m sorry more people don’t see you the way I do...” 

“And how’s that?” 

He braved the prince’s eyes again, “A friend.” 

Noctis looked almost startled, before he pressed his face into the palm of his hand. A few moments later, his voice was low, and a little rough around the edges.

“You’re the first friend I’ve had in a really long time...”

Prompto sniffled quietly, his voice just as tight, “Same...” 

Noctis’ lashes looked suspiciously wet when he peeked above his hand. Prom rubbed his sleeve across his face, a little less embarrassed about his own tears after having already cried in front of the prince yesterday.

“Ugh, I need tissues,” he whined.

Noctis snorted a wet laugh, leaning back against the wall, “Don’t look at me, I only got a handkerchief that Iggy forces me to carry, and no offense I’m not lending it out for you to put your snot in it.” 

Prompto thought on that for a minute before he started giggling, “Hey Noct, how do you get a handkerchief to dance?”  

The prince blinked at him, “Say what ? ” 

It only made Prom giggle harder, “You put a little boogie in it!”  

“Are you kidding me right now?” Noctis raised a single dark brow.  

Prompto couldn’t stop laughing long enough to retort.  

“It’s not that funny, Prom,” But Noctis was starting to laugh himself, “Why are y-you even laughing?” 

Prompto couldn’t explain because he couldn’t stop laughing. The more he laughed, the more Noctis did, and the more that the prince did, the more it fed Prom’s sudden euphoria. The tension of their misunderstanding shattered around them. Their mirth was a continuous cycle that ended with both teens pressed against each other cackling until their sides protested vehemently. 

As their laughter wound down, Prom found his head leaning on Noct’s shoulder, chest still hitching with the occasional chuckle. Noctis had one leg folded against his chest, his elbow balanced on his knee as he rested his head against his hand. 

“Thanks, Noct.” 

“Whatever.” 

“Where are your fricken manners? You’re the most unprincely prince to have ever princed. If I ever need a socially awkward Royal, I think I know who to call.” 

Noctis shook with laughter again, but calmed quickly. He glanced at the blonde at his shoulder, eyes clear and honest. 

“You can count on me, anytime.” 

Warmth curled in Prompto’s chest. The words carried more than the weight of a simple jest. 

It was the weight of a promise. 

Chapter Text

“ Man !! I thought today would never end!!! Can’t wait to get home and start downloading the next chapter of King’s Knight!” Prompto exclaimed as they exited their last class of the day.  

“Hmm, yea. Feels like we’ve been waiting forever,” Noctis walked calmly beside the excitable blonde, hands in his pockets.  

The two boys stepped out into the brisk fall air of the long walkway leading to the main gate of the school. The leaves were turning on the trees that lined the path, glowing golden and orange as the sunlight filtered through the foliage. Some fluttered on the chilly wind, twirling about in lazy arcs as they drifted to the cobblestones under their feet. 

Prompto bounced with a childish enjoyment as he tried to catch the falling leaves around them. Noctis smiled softly at the Prompto’s exuberance, following his movements as he made circles around them. His eyes focused on a particularly large leaf fluttering its way down, he snatched the golden leaf mid-spin without damaging it. A dull ache pulsed up his spine, but he ignored it. Bumping shoulders with Prompto, he offered his prize up to the blonde. 

“You’re making me dizzy, Prom,” Noctis drawled, lips twitching to fight off a smile as Prompto’s eyes lit up at the sight of the leaf. 

“Woah, it’s as big as my head!!” Prompto took it and held it up to the sunlight to study it, still bobbing with excess energy in every step. “Sorry!! I just, I never thought I’d actually catch up with the game updates, you know? It’s been weeks since we could play. I’m like a junkie that needs a fix!”

A couple of people looked their way, sneering at the blonde’s words. Noctis narrowed his eyes in their direction, and threw his arm around Prompto’s shoulder as he made another circle to redirect his motion. Those who caught the prince’s disapproving glare hurriedly looked away. Exhaling through his nose with a roll of his eyes, he turned his gaze on his friend, lifting a brow.

“Don’t we have to wait like four hours for the update to just finishing downloading?” His tone was light and teasing. 

“Dude, I know!! But even that can’t bring me down!!” Prompto threw an arm around his waist and bounced them both this time. 

Noctis felt the world move around him as if in slow motion. A familiar discomfort twinged in his back as Prom jostled him, but it was too late to warn him. His muscles tensed, and his hand clawed deeply into Prompto’s shoulder. They came down from the second bounce and the jolt of hitting the pavement ran up his spine like a firebolt. He swallowed a noise like a wounded animal, and his left knee buckled under him. Only Prompto’s tightening grip kept him from falling. 

“Noct? Noct, woah-- you’re getting really pale! What’s wrong?” his voice trembled with worry.

Gritting his teeth, Noctis did his best to school his features and keep from making a scene while they were still in public view. He breathed heavily through his mouth, and exhaled slow and shaky through his nose like he’d been taught as the muscles in his back spasmed once more. His knee throbbed with the beat of his pulse, but the pain dulled as the seconds dragged on and he breathed through it. When his body felt his own again, he blinked up to meet violet eyes swimming with guilt. 

“Dude, what happened? Should I get the nurse? Do you need water or something? Are you gonna be sick? Should we sit? Did I d-do something wrong?” Prom vomited out all his questions at once, speaking fast and jittery but low enough to not draw too much attention. 

“No, no. I’m fine. Just-- yeah, let’s sit for a minute,” Noctis nodded towards a nearby bench a few meters from the path, giving Prompto’s shoulder a gentle squeeze to reassure him, “I’d probably be eating the pavement right about now if you hadn’t been here, so thanks.”

Prompto chuckled albeit nervously, but Noct considered that a win, “Secret savior of the Prince’s smile. Sure all the girls in our class would still fawn over you even if you were snaggletoothed.” 

“Ugh, whatever,” Noctis rolled his eyes, “Don’t care about that.” 

Testing his knee cautiously, he continued forward when it held his weight. The limp he managed to hide most days marring his usually confident stride. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Prompto’s worried glance towards his left leg. The blonde shifted behind and around him and suddenly he was tucked under his left arm, conveniently blocking most onlookers' view of his uncharacteristic limp as they made it toward the bench and he helped ease Noct and himself down. Noctis lifted a knowing brow his way, but Prompto only blinked before grinning wide. 

“Hey! You know what else the new update is gonna bring?” Prompto bounced his knee, his hands gesticulating wildly, distracting any eyes that did glance their way from noticing anything strange about the prince’s moment of weakness. 

Noctis did know. He’d read all about the new features being added days ago, but he wasn’t about to rain on Prompto’s parade. Not when the boy didn’t even try to pry him for answers at all about his bizarre episode just then.

When slim fingers reached up to wrap warmly around his wrist, only then did Noctis realize that he still had his arm draped across Prom’s shoulders where they sat. Prompto babbled on without pause or need of encouragement from him, going on about King’s Knight with unbridled enthusiasm. What he was excited to try out, or what twist the story could possibly take, and how he’d beat Noct’s high score this time for sure . He leaned heavily against the blonde’s side, closing his eyes and just listened.

It didn’t feel weird, or awkward, or forced. It just felt... right . 

“Whatta ya say we try a voice chat while we play tonight? Noct -- are you even listening to me?” 

“Yea I am, choco-brains,” Noctis opened his eyes to be met with Prompto’s impressive pout. He slowly moved his other arm, there was a sliver of discomfort but not outright rebellion from his back muscles, and knocked on Prompto’s head with his knuckles. 

“Hey!!” Prompto grumbled, rubbing theatrically at his forehead and Noct huffed a tired laugh.

“I actually uh,” He frowned slowly, fingers clenching on the strap of his bag with guilt, “I actually can’t play the update tonight....” 

“Oh...” The exuberant light faded slightly from Prom’s face as he sat beside him. Noctis continued in a hurry, not wanting to be misunderstood.

“But, could I get a raincheck on that? Voice chat sounds way better than having to stop to text during the game like we’ve been doing. Do you say your keymashes out loud, or are your fingers just constantly spazzing?” 

“Shut up, dude!!” Prompto rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face brightened, “So wait, you can’t play tonight at all? What’s up?” 

“Having dinner with my dad tonight,” Noct turned his gaze forward, aiming for nonchalance. 

“Oh, so like some fancy state dinner thing going on tonight?” Prompto wondered . 

“No, just like... regular dinner,” Noct felt strange having to explain himself, “But, with my dad.” 

“So, you mean,” Prompto paused a moment, and Noctis could almost see the wheels turning in his head. When he tilted his head to look up at Noct, there was something small and sad in his voice, “You don’t get to do that every day?” 

“Nah... Dad’s busy all the time with really important stuff. I usually eat by myself, or sometimes Iggy will join me. So, when Dad has time, I guess...” His words slowed, as he felt stupid talking about it like this. 

Everyone around them spent most of the day complaining about their parents. He couldn’t relate to half of his classmates’s resentments. Prompto never spoke of his parents one way or another, but it still made him hesitate to continue. 

“It kinda feels like Winter’s Crest, right?” Prom finished for him, voice soft around a small smile. 

“Yea,” Noctis shifted serious eyes back to the blonde, “Just like that... Your parents, they work a lot too then?” 

Prompto held his gaze silently for a long moment before studying the golden leaf he still held. His fingers traced the patterns of his veins towards the edges. 

“Yea, a lot of times work kept them away from home altogether. So it was just... something special when we could all sit down to eat together, you know?” 

The nostalgic lilt of Prompto’s voice made something in Noct’s chest feel tight. 

“I really wanted to play this update with you...” Noct murmured, compelled to reassure the other boy somehow, “Sucks it had to fall on the same day...” 

“Hey no prob, I’ll wait for you!” Prompto looked up at him with an extra megawatt bright smile. Noct had learned it was the one Prom used when he was determined to lighten the mood. 

“You don’t have to do that. All you’ve gone on about today is King’s Knight. Don’t let me hold you up,” he insisted.  

Prompto chuckled, and scratched at the freckles on the bridge of his nose, “Well, you see... after playing with you. It’s kinda boring to play on my own so... I’ll just let it update today and then we can play whenever you’re free next.”

This time Prom’s smile was shy, but sincere. Noctis mirrored it back, much more sure. 

“Tomorrow then,” His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the moment. He clicked his tongue, and moved to get it out of his pocket only to feel his back tighten up again, “Agh, shit--”

“Dude, quit moving!” Prom had the gall to scold him, finding his phone easily. Noctis all but choked when instead of handing it over, he answered it with a cheery tone, “Prince Noctis’ phone! How may I direct your call-- Oh heya Ignis!!” 

Noctis couldn’t quite understand Ignis’ words on the other end of the line, but the confused and faltering tone was audible to him this close to Prompto. He grinned just imagining how flustered the young retainer was to be greeted by Prom’s cheer, instead of Noct’s usually sour tone. 

“Yeah, we’re just hanging out at a bench cuz the car was maybe too long a walk today, if you-- ah-- get my drift. Maybe you got something to help out with that?” 

He was surprised to hear Prom address the situation while cleverly avoiding words that might attract any onlookers attention. Ignis short affirmative sound signaled he understood immediately. 

“Okay, we’ll wait here for you. Thanks!” Prompto hung up the phone and slipped it into Noct’s pocket. 

“You’ve been paying more attention in Poli-Sci class than you’ve let on,” Noctis said with a smirk, and watched as Prompto’s cheeks went pink. It made his freckles stand out even more. 

“Who me? Whatever ,” he laughed nervously, brushing off the compliment as he always seemed to do. They joked back and forth easily for another few minutes. Prompto had him laughing painfully at a stupid pun when the sound of hurried steps approached them quickly.

“Noct.” 

The smile slipped off Noctis’ face when he heard the worry in Ignis voice. The retainer rarely called him by his name these days unless he was in trouble.

“Hey Specs, need a bit of a hand today,” Noct said blandly, settling him with a challenging stare. Ignis’ mouth pressed into a thin line. 

“Right then,” Ignis approached, his hands already glowing a subtle green when he set them on Noct’s shoulders. The brief warmth of magic flowed through his aching muscles and after a moment he could breathe easier, the tightness of his back relaxing. 

“Your color’s coming back,” Prompto murmured, looking relieved.

“Thank you for your assistance and discretion, Prompto,” Ignis nodded at the blonde, a hint of a smile on his lips. Prompto blushed, hand scratching the back of his neck

“N-No sweat!” 

“My knight in shining armor,” Noctis teased with a smirk. 

“Shut up, dude!” Prom squawked red-faced, then huffed with his hands up, “I can’t even punch you for that right now. So I’ll pay you back later with interest .” 

“You wish ,” Noctis chuckled, batting Ignis’ hands off his shoulders, “I can do it.” 

He missed the way Prompto swiveled his head between the two of them with a worried glance as the retainer backed off with a frown. Noctis cautiously rose to his feet, testing his steadiness before taking his first limping step with a hiss.

“Dammit.... Today’s not the day for this shit to be happening.” 

Ignis pushed his glasses up with a sigh, “Do you require assistance to the car?” 

“I got it!!” A blonde blur moved in his peripheral, and Prompto was at his side again, this time more properly helping to take his weight off his bad leg. He was blinded by a bright smile, “Lean on me, buddy!”  

Noctis scoffed, “Like you’re giving me a choice!” 

“Well, I’m not about to let you fall!” Prompto huffed back as they started slow measured steps down the path. He turned to look over his shoulder, “You coming, Ignis?” 

The young man stood behind them with his hand on his chin, studying the pair before melting into action, “Yes, of course-- There’s no hurry. I’ve already instructed the chauffeur to pull around the garage. Do you remember the path to the elevator, Prompto?”

“Uhhhh...” the blonde hesitated looking around the grounds. He’d been so upset the day he’d used it that he hadn’t paid too much attention to where he had exited. Noctis elbowed him and pointed discreetly for him, “Right, yeah! This way.”  

Ignis stepped up to Noctis’ other side, calmly keeping pace and paying close attention to Noctis’s slow movements. Ready to step in if he faltered even with his friends' help. Noctis directed a sour look in Ignis direction, but the other man ignored him in favor of addressing Prompto. 

“Tell me Prompto,” His tone was carefully amicable. Noct recognized it as the kind he used when he was unsure about someone’s intentions where the prince was concerned. It pissed him off. “Were you able to get your phone fixed?”

“Oh--” Prompto looked up in surprise, as if not expecting Ignis to remember such a detail from several weeks past, “Uh, yeah. I just had to replace some parts of it.” 

“Replace parts?” Noctis furrowed his brow. 

“Yeah, I just pulled it apart and replaced what was ruined. Got the guts cleaned out, and salvaged what I could, which luckily was most of the really expensive stuff. Best part is that the camera still works!” Prompto smiled proudly, it was a good look on him. 

“I didn’t know you were tech savvy like that...” Noctis said softly. 

“Yeah, it’s kinda a side gig of mine,” Prom quickly became shy again. “All the little old people ‘round my neighborhood are kinda hopeless with new tech, so I help them out at old man Ferrum’s repair shop sometimes and in exchange he’ll usually gimme parts I might need. So it worked out.” 

“Quite industrious of you,” Ignis said as they approached what looked like a pair of old phone booths, waving a card above the handle, the door slid open to reveal the interior of an elevator. “Prompto, I know you’ve turned down the offer before but, could we not at least escort you part of your way home?”

The blonde blinked and put on a smile, “No, no! It’s the totally opposite direction for you guys. I’d just be delaying your trip home and Noct’s got a dinner date tonight. Can’t be responsible for him missing it!” 

“It’s not a dinner date!” Noctis groused.

Prompto merely stuck out his tongue at him, laughing off Noct’s answering scowl. On his other side, Noct could feel Ignis’ amused huff. 

“Very well, if you insist. Thank you for your consideration. Perhaps your manners will rub off on this one someday.” 

“Excuse me?” Noctis pinned his retainer with a glare. But when Prompto giggled again, it was hard to maintain his ire. With a softer look, he held out his fist to the other boy, “Thanks, Prom.” 

Prompto automatically bumped it, purposely gentle so as not to aggravate Noct’s condition, “No prob. See ya tomorrow. Bye, Ignis!” 

“Until next time, Prompto,” Ignis nodded at the other boy, then followed Noctis inside the concealed elevator that would take them to the garage, standing close in case the prince wavered. 

Noctis stubbornly held himself tall. He looked up in time to see Prompto wave goodbye enthusiastically, and raised his hand in return a little too late for it to be seen by anything but the closing doors. In the reflection of the shiny steel walls, he caught Ignis’ glance, and stuffed his hand in his jacket pocket with a frown. Ignis looked away and said nothing.  

Even the short walk to the elevator had taken his breath away from him, but thankfully the car was right outside when the doors pinged open. Ignis helped him inside the cabin, before entering in after him. As the car started its journey toward the garage exit, Noctis stared. Ignis said nothing, focusing instead on his phone and tapping away at it. 

“Why’d you get in with me?” Noctis blurted out, eyes looking darker in the shadows cast by the parking garage pillars. His voice felt too loud in the silence of the car cabin. 

Ignis paused his typing and looked directly at him, expression unreadable behind the glare of his glasses, “Begging your pardon, Highness. I’ll move up front then.”

He reached over to the glass partition and rapped twice. The car slowed to a stop, and Ignis grasped the door handle. Shame crawled like an insect inside Noct’s stomach.  

“That’s not what I meant!” His words were sharp with annoyance. They had the desired effect  though. Ignis paused and looked his way again. Noctis deflated just a little bit.  “I just meant-- It’s been a while... is all...” 

Ignis stared for a long moment, then pulled off his glasses to clean them, “It has.” 

The glass partition was rapped on once more and the car moved again. Ignis studied him in silence, looking younger without his customary frames on. Deeming them clean enough, he replaced his glasses before returning to his phone. Noctis frowned at the uncomfortable chill between them. 

“I just wanted to be nearby to help in case your pain worsened.” 

The low murmur was spoken without Ignis breaking eye contact with his phone. His fingers continued to move across the screen with practiced diligence. 

“Oh.” 

Noctis couldn’t think of anything else to add, so the remainder of the car ride was spent in tense silence. His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the quiet of the cabin and tickling his side. Pulling it out, he tapped the message icon. 

______________________________

 

3:38pm

 

::|::Prom::|::

 

Feel better soon buddy! Have fun with your dad tonight! ~ ٩( ᐛ )و

 

_______________________________

A few quick swipes and he replied.

______________________________

 

3:40pm

 

::|::Noct::|::

 

( ￣ー￣)v

 

_______________________________

Noctis smiled lopsided at the screen, the dull ache of his back forgotten for the moment. 

Chapter Text

He must have nodded off at some point, because the next thing he knew he was being lifted from his seat as if he weighed no less than a ragdoll. Groaning, Noctis didn’t even resist, only covered his eyes from the glare of the sun. 

“Gladio--” His voice was rough from sleep, “What the hell, I can walk--” 

“Morning, princess,” Gladio’s chest vibrated with his deep laugh, “Of course you can. I’m just giving you a head start up these stairs.” 

Noctis peeked through his fingers and cringed at the glare of the evening light bouncing off the dazzling white steps of the citadel. His back still pulsed with a burning pain in time with every heartbeat, and though Gladio’s hold was careful, the slight jostle of each step made him grimace. He kept his face hidden until they reached the top and he could school his expression into something mostly neutral. 

“Still want me to put you down?” Gladio asked as they finally plateaued, raising a brow at him.

Noctis pressed his lips together, face pinched, “Just-- get me to the infirmary.” 

“No sweat, princess.” 

“I seriously hate you.”

Gladio only laughed, pressing on through marbled halls towards the medical wing with Ignis trailing behind silently. When they reached their destination, Noctis endured his check-up with a scowl and as many one word answers as he could manage. 

“Your Highness,” Dr. Sanatio started in a tone that told Noctis he was not going to like her suggestion, “I believe that after a session of massage therapy we should start you on bedrest until tomorrow, so we can prevent this flare up from worsening into--” 

“ No .” 

His response was harsh enough that the doctor paused, looking from her tablet and back to the prince uncertain. 

“His Highness has an engagement with His Majesty tonight. We will need to be in attendance,” Ignis explained for him helpfully, standing at ease with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze pierced Noctis as he spoke. 

Dr. Sanatio sighed, scribbling notes on her screen, “Very well. If we get you started now, we’ll get done on time. But please understand that these flare ups start mild and worsen considerably if you continue to exert yourself throughout the day. You will need to miss class tomorrow.” 

“We’ll see about that,” Noctis grumbled, staring back at his retainer, daring him to contradict. 

He had a few more smart things to say, but Ignis was quietly glowering at him from behind the doctor’s shoulder, so he kept his mouth shut. Gladio had the nerve to smirk at him from beside Ignis, mouthing ‘ whipped. ’ Noct flipped him a bird, glaring even as he turned on his stomach and lay down to endure the next few hours of the torture they called his therapy. 

“Relax, princess,” Gladio teased as the doctor oiled up her hands to begin their session.  

“ Fuck you.” 

Ignis sighed, sitting at one of the bedside chairs and pulling open his briefcase to get some work done. 

He doesn’t remember passing out, but the darkness at the edge of his vision and the fog clinging to his mind meant he had succumbed to the pain at some point and been transferred to his room. The soft clack of keys signaled that Ignis was still nearby. He turned onto his side, feeling only a small protest from his sore muscles. The tightness from earlier that afternoon felt like a threat still, but one that loomed on the horizon, no longer an immediate danger. If he played his cards right, he could probably convince his Father that he was in no risk of another spasm and would be able to attend school in the morning. Even if he wasn’t able to fool Ignis, he wouldn’t dare contradict the King. 

“What time is it?” Noctis slurred, burrowing under the warmth of his covers. 

“You’ve time to change before we head down,” Ignis replied without pausing his typing. When Noctis groaned as he sat up, the retainer paused to look at him over the rim of his glasses. The glow of his screen reflected brightly on his specs, “Do you require assistance?”

“No, I got it.”

“Very well.”

The typing resumed as the prince limped over to his walk-in closet, grabbing his phone off the nightstand on the way. The notification light flashed yellow, indicating a pending message. Unlocking his screen, there was a picture of a progress bar on a download that was still only half way, with the remaining hours listed as five and a half. Following that, a gif of an old white haired lady with the caption, ‘ It’s been 84 years...’ 

Noctis huffed a laughed, and replied. 

______________________________

 

6:47pm

::|::Noct::|::

 

Ha ha!
Why’s it still quoting five hours? Shouldn’t you be nearly done downloading by now?

 

_______________________________

By the time he’d managed to get into a fresh pair of pants, and was buttoning up a clean black shirt, his phone flashed again. 

______________________________

 

6:51pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

the bandwidth here sucks at this hour

everyone’s home from work and hogging the connection 

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:52pm

::|::Noct::|::

 

Why would you share your connection with strangers??

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:55pm

::|::Prom::|::

Noct 

.

.

.

did you seriously just ask me that???  ( ;´ Д`)

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:55pm

::|::Noct::|::

 

(•ิ_•ิ)?

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:56pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

NOCT. 

you’re our six-damned prince 

do you not kno how Insomnia’s public wifi works???

bet you have like some private 2000 GBps connection or some sci-fi BS like that!

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:59pm

::|::Noct::|::

 

(~_~;)

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

6:59pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

ಠ_ಠ

acdhfklarghakh

don’t talk to me or my 10 mbps ever again.....

 

_______________________________

That startled a laugh out of Noctis that quickly turned to a hiss of pain. Footsteps hurried in his direction.

“Noctis--” Ignis stood in the doorway looking concerned, but did not approach further. 

“I’m fine,” he grumbled, despite the dull throb traveling up his spine. 

“You don’t have to force yourself tonight,” Ignis continued softly, “It will only get worse. What if we--”

Noct interrupted, words low and clipped, “I’m not missing the one night Dad has had for me in three months over a stupid back ache.” 

“Noctis,” Ignis breathed in slowly, nostrils flaring, “I’m not suggesting that. If you would but listen for a moment. I’m merely suggesting that to ease your trip to the dining hall, we use your wheelchair tonight.” 

The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and Noctis reigned in his gut reaction by grinding his teeth for a long moment, fists clenched at his side. 

“No, thanks. I’d rather crawl ,” Steely blue eyes met calm green. 

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ignis warned, “Do not protest tomorrow when you are unable to attend class. I will not give you a sympathetic ear. Nor step in to contradict the doctor for you.” 

“Whatever, let’s go,” Noctis pulled on his jacket and shuffled passed to hide his limp. 

He wasn’t an idiot, he would take it slow. It’s not like he could be considered late to dinner in his own home. He just had to make it to the elevator, then half the work would be done for him. Noct astutely ignored the steady presence of Ignis hovering nearby, ready for him to falter. He wouldn’t, if only out of spite to prove the other boy wrong. 

Still, he didn’t protest as Ignis moved to hold open every heavy door for him, saving him from having to exert any extra force that might trigger another spasm. While he refused to thank him, Noctis also wasn’t going to complain about it either. By the time they made it to the elevator, he was leaning heavily against the railing inside the elevator and he could feel sweat on his brow. He clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened, praying Ignis had not noticed. 

A pristine handkerchief entered his field of vision. Noctis glared at it a moment, steely gaze then moving to Ignis’ impassive face in a challenge. He pouted as Ignis raised a pale elegant brow at his wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his sleeve.  

“I really hate you sometimes,” Noctis grumbled into the quiet of the elevator. 

Ignis blinked, and for a moment Noct thought he’d broken through the impassive mask Ignis always wore around him these days. The flicker of emotion was gone too fast to read, and he was met with the customary blankness that just pissed him off more. The handkerchief was withdrawn and put away.

“If you feel arriving at dinner appearing as though you’ve run a marathon shall convince his Majesty you’re in perfect health, so be it,” Weariness weighed Ignis’ quiet words.

The elevator hummed to a stop, and its doors opened with a soft ping. Noctis steeled himself for the long walk to the dining hall. What would have been an easy five minute stroll on a normal day, was a long and uncomfortable shuffle down an echoing hall. Ignis’ stony silence just behind him made the ordeal all the more awkward. Still, somehow he stayed on his feet even if it made the pain slowly tick up a few notches. When the tall black doors leading to the dining were finally in sight, Noctis bit back a sigh of relief. Quick heavy steps echoed down the hall behind them.

“He being a stubborn ass again, Iggy?” Gladio’s deep voice bounced off the marble walls around them. 

“Hmm,” Ignis hummed noncommittally behind him. 

“Piss off, Gladio,” it didn’t have quite the bite he wanted it to have as he stopped to catch his breath. 

“Spending a week in bed worth proving whatever point you got stuck in your pea-brain, princess?” 

“I’m not trying to prove anything, now make yourself useful and open the door, would you?” Noctis waited before the giant solid doors, arms crossed and scowling at the taller man. 

“What’s the magic word?” Gladio challenged with a smirk. 

Noctis scrunched his nose, “What’re you doing here still anyway?” 

The smirk stretching Gladio’s lip shifted, and his amber eyes glanced at Ignis, who pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose but stayed silent. Noctis glanced between them in confusion.  

“My job,” Gladio’s gaze snapped back to him, before he brushed past Noctis to push open the giant doors with little effort. “You’ve become such a pain in the ass lately, you know that?” 

“Funny, I don’t remember asking your opinion,” Noctis clicked his tongue, but followed after him into the slightly chilly room towards the head of the long table and his customary seat. 

Gladio took a chair one seat down from his, while Ignis settled across them on the other side of the table, opening his laptop once more. The head of the table remained empty.

“Hey, I still managed to beat Dad...” Noctis half mumbled as he looked around, half expecting his father to melt out of the shadows. 

The butler approached the table quietly stopping with a bow, the footmen behind him did the same before stepping around to place several plates of hor d'oeuvres on the table. 

“Glad to see his highness is feeling better,” Old Carson’s smile stretched his weathered face, “Shall I have dinner brought up for you immediately, sir?”

“No, I’ll wait for Dad. Thanks, Carson.” 

Carson nodded without another word, bowing again before disappearing into the shadows of the dimly lit room. Noctis rubbed his arms, the cold always felt keener whenever he had an episode with his old wound. Pulling out his phone, he checked for any more messages from Prompto, and sure enough-- he smiled at another gif image, this time of a cheering chocobo chick. 

______________________________

 

7:26pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

me when this shit finally finishes downloading ; A; 

 

_______________________________

Leaning his elbow on the table to cup his chin and hide his smile, he replied with a grinning emoji. 

“Who you texting?” Gladio squinted his eyes to try to get a look at Noct’s phone. 

“None of your business,” Noct covered his phone just to be contrary. 

“A classmate,” Ignis answered for him.

“What the hell, specs!” Noct glared across the table. Ignis shrugged unapologetically.

“You actually talking to people now?” Gladio sounded surprised, then narrowed his eyes. “What do they want?” 

“It’s not like that,” Noctis shot back defensive, “Prompto doesn’t ask for stuff.” 

“Prompto?” Gladio pulled a face, clearly skeptical, “Right. Sure. Yet. ”

“I’ve run a background, came back clean,” Ignis interjected. 

“ See ,” Noctis smirked triumphantly, for once thankful for Ignis' paranoia. 

“Hmph,” Gladio grunted, not quite satisfied. Crossing his arms behind his head, he leaned back on the hind legs of his chair. “What family is the kid from? Don’t remember a Prompto at any function...”

“He’s not,” Noct felt the same defensiveness rise up in his chest, “He’s not from one of the Noble families that’s why.”

Gladio watched him, eyes slowly widening, “You mean he’s a commoner ?”

“Don’t say it like that,” Noctis growled out. “You sound like all the assholes at school.”

“I say it like that because a commoner, making buddy buddy with the Crown Prince?” Glado scoffed back, rocking slowly on the chair hind legs. They gave an ominous creak under his shifting weight, “C’mon, he’s gotta be after something . Probably playing the long game.”

“ Gladiolus , the chair.” 

The shield rolled his eyes at Ignis’ sharp look, but allowed the chair to drop back to the floor with a thunk. 

“Whose whipped now?” Noctis muttered under his breath in Gladio’s direction, chuckling at the older teen’s frown, “And you’re wrong about Prom. So come off it.”

“Prom? Oh six, he’s earned a nickname,” Gladio scrubbed his face. “Hope you know what you’re doing, Noct. Because I will say I told you so.”

“I’m kinda looking forward to getting to say it to you for a change,” Noctis challenged, grabbing something off the plate that he did not recognize other than to know it was definitely not a vegetable. He nibbled at it to ease the hunger that was starting to send pangs to his stomach. His phone flashed yellow again. 

“Your highness,” Carson approached one more with another bow, “Are you sure you would not like to start your meal yet?” 

“I’m sure,” Noctis reaffirmed, checking the time and seeing it was an hour past his usual mealtime. He had figured his father would be here already to laughingly scold him for being late. Instead, it seemed he’d be the one teasing when he finally arrived. 

______________________________

 

7:56pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

dude!! don’t text at the dinner table! ROOD!!  Σ(,,oΔo,,*)

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

7:56pm

::|::Noct::|::

 

It’s okay, Dad’s running late. It happens all the time. 

 

_______________________________

______________________________

 

7:57pm

::|::Prom::|::

 

໒( •́ ∧ •̀ )७

 

_______________________________

“Noct,” Ignis says in that gentle manner that makes Noctis feel suspicious, “The food will get cold if you keep waiting...” 

“It’s fine, we can heat it up when Dad gets here,” he taps the surface of the table restlessly. “You guys can eat if you want. It’s fine.”  

Something softens in Ignis' usually cool demeanor, “No, I’ll wait with you.” 

Noctis looks away, leaning his chair back as Gladio had earlier. When Ignis doesn’t scold him right away, he pins his retainer with a sharp look, letting the chair fall back on all four feet. Ignis senses the change in atmosphere because he stops typing and meets Noct’s gaze. 

“What aren’t you telling me?” 

Ignis’ poker face is immaculate. 

“There are a great many things I do not tell you about on a daily basis, Noct,” He sighs, “To which are you referring?” 

Noctis glowers, “Where’s Dad?” 

To his surprise, it’s Gladio who answers, “There was another bad confrontation at the front.”

He stared silent.

“We lost a lot of ground before the Kingsglaive put a stop to the enemy advance,” Gladio leaned his forearms on the table as he finished, watching him. 

Noctis felt a cold sweat break out all over his skin.

“Dad--”

“Is well, Noctis. He is still within the city, but the council was summoned.... It may yet be some time before he can attend dinner with you tonight, if... if at all,” the gentleness was back in Ignis tone, and it made Noctis clench his fists against the table. 

“How long did you know?” he didn’t bother to hide his accusatory tone. 

Ignis actually looked guilty, “We found out during your therapy session. You had already fallen asleep.”

“The attack hit this afternoon. There was a lot of pull on the crystal’s magic. It’s probably why your back acted up today,” Gladio spoke up again. “My Dad asked that one of us be present with you at all times until we were certain how it would affect you.” 

The dull throb of his back was like a second heartbeat in the quiet that followed. Noctis stared at his phone on the table, at the little sad face Prompto had sent. Several minutes passed in silence.

“Carson.” 

“Yes, your Highness,” the butler appeared immediately from the fringes of the room.

“You can bring up the main course now.” 

“Yes Highness, straight away.” 

The silence between the three of them went unbroken while they waited for the servants to return with the evening meal. As the smell of deliciously prepared food filled the room, Noctis noticed the meal consisted of his favorites. No doubt a request from his father to ease the blow of his absence.  

Neither Ignis nor Gladio could find any words to lift the sullen mood that overtook the dining hall. Noctis ignored them and focused on eating the meal that the kitchen staff had taken care to prepare especially to his finicky tastes. His father had taught him not to spurn the efforts of their staff regardless of his own mood. 

If he wiped away at a traitorous tear slipping down his cheek while he ate, Gladio and Ignis were kind enough to make no comment.  

Chapter Text

"You two can go, you know," Noct’s voice was leaden, echoing slightly in the emptiness of the dining hall. 

Gladiolus crossed his arms where he sat, frowning at the now empty plate before him. Ignis watched him over the rim of his glasses.

"We know."

Neither of them moved, but gave up on their attempts to engage the prince in conversation as he waited in stubborn silence, only occasionally checking his phone when the notification light blinked yellow. Even after their empty dishes were cleared away, Noctis waited still another hour and a half at the table. 

His father never arrived. 

At some point, he must have dozed off because there's a crick in his neck from how he lay his head against his forearm on the table. He blinked awake with his cheek smushed against the smooth surface of the wood and a dull ache traveling down his spine.  

"Noctis...” Ignis’ hand was gentle on his shoulder as he squeezed, “Noct, do you want to move to the study at least? This will do your back no favors come the morning. Shall I help you?” 

“What time is it?” 

Ignis hesitated. 

“It’s past ten‘o’clock,” Gladiolus answered, leaning back on his chair again, book in hand. 

Noctis studied the dark grain of the table for a long moment. Bracing himself, he pushed back on his chair and bit his lip hard to keep from making a sound as his spine popped with a jolt of agony. Once his breathing steadied, he took a few shaky steps toward the doors, compensating for the weakness in his left knee. He stopped in front of the solid Ebony wood doors, hands curling into fists at his side. 

“Gladio, get the door.” 

“A fucking please wouldn’t kill you, you know,” the Shield bristled just in the corner of his sight, laying his book face down on the table.

“ Gladio ,” Ignis hissed from his other side, “You’re not helping.” 

“ You let him get away with murder, Iggy.” 

“I’m right here ,” Noctis growled.

With a roll of his eyes, Gladio moved to the huge doors and pushed them open. He glared balefully at Noctis as he shuffled past without even a word of thanks. 

“Noctis--”

The prince ignored Ignis again. With a single minded focus that the Marshall had taught him in training, Noctis continued to drag one foot in front of the other, using the wall for support on occasion. 

“Noct, stop being an ass!” Gladio was much less patient with him. 

Noctis struggled on, refusing to pause. He was going to get himself at least to the elevator, Six be damned . 

“Noctis-- please , if you want any hope of getting to class in the morning--” Ignis tried a different approach, wiser to his inner motivations sometimes then even Noct was himself. 

“Since when are you so keen on actually going to school anyway?” Gladio asked. 

The thought of a freckled face always scrunched with laughter flashed in Noct’s mind, but aloud he only growled.

“What do either of you care ?” 

He would regret it later, but for now the anger was still too raw. It was always easiest to lash out at Ignis and Gladio, knowing they were obliged to put up with him regardless of his moods. 

A small part of him felt they deserved it tonight. All they ever did lately was tell him what to do, and where to go, and how to act, pushing him everyday to fulfill his role as his Father’s heir, yet tonight-- coddling him like the spoiled child they so often complained  that he was… And for what? To spare him the disappointment of having tonight be like every other night the last few months? It would have hurt less to just know the truth, rather than to have his hopes pinned on spending even a few uninterrupted hours with his father. 

Gone were the days that the King of Lucis could clear his schedule to indulge and spoil his son with his company. The escalating war with the Empire had changed everything he took for granted about his life over the last few years. 

The buttons of the elevator were slightly blurring in his vision. Slapping them with a growl, he leaned against the doors to catch his breath as he waited for the elevator to come back down. He did not anticipate the unit already being on their floor and the doors opening immediately. Hands grasped his shoulders and kept him from falling forward in a graceless heap, Ignis and Gladio stood on either side of him. 

“Are you done being an asshat about this?” Gladiolus sighed heavily. 

“If you’d just said something earlier, I could have stayed in bed ,” Noct grumbled out in return, fighting to find his balance between the pair.

“I wasn’t certain how long your father would be held up. I thought, if there were even a sliver of a chance he would make it--” Ignis sighed too, pinching the bridge of his nose, “You were so looking forward to this, Noct. I didn’t want you to miss the opportunity, if there was still hope for his Majesty to arrive tonight....” 

Noctis closed his eyes, breathing a long slow sigh. His back was throbbing again, thanks in no small part to his own stubbornness.

“I’ll need my chair to get back to my room.” 

He did not turn to see Ignis’ reaction, but he could feel those sharp eyes on his back. Noct clenched his hands hard enough to dig his nails into his palms. The tall bulk of Gladio shifted past his peripheral vision and was suddenly kneeling in front of him on the threshold of the elevator doors. Looking over his broad shoulders, Gladio pulled a sour face. 

“Hop on, Charmless .” 

Noctis would like to glare, but barely musters the energy to frown, “What are you doing?”

“You hate that chair,” Gladio’s face eased into something more neutral, though there’s still a crease in his brow, “Besides, this is faster."

"I'm not a little kid anymore."

"And I'm not a pack chocobo. I could just throw you over my shoulder if you continue to act like an idiot. Shut up and get on.” 

He considered ignoring his shield and striding past him, but his bad knee is already feeling like jelly. With a sigh of resignation, he clambered onto Gladio’s back. As his shield stands, he has an acute memory of being all of twelve years old, having overexerted himself in his enthusiasm for weapons training, and having to be ferried out of the sparring hall via piggy back ride to the infirmary on more than one occasion. Sometimes, when Ignis was not around, he even managed to convince Gladio to just take him back to his room, skipping the doctor’s review altogether. 

Those were simpler times. 

“Don’t fall asleep on me or I’ll drop you.” Gladio threatened.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Ignis warned, hitting the button on the elevator for the correct floor. 

Noctis kept his mouth shut, wanting nothing more than the solace and solitude of his room. There aren’t any more words shared between them during the ride up to his quarters, the tension in the air thick enough for a knife. Knowing he was the one causing it, didn't mean Noct knew how to stop it.

His reflection in the polished steel of the elevator was pale, his skin clammy, face pinched with pain. He hated looking at it, but if he turned he'd have to watch Ignis’ disappointed expression instead, so he sucked it up and stared at his weakness, mood plummeting further. The elevator slowed eventually and the doors dinged opened. Gladio exited with him in tow, careful not to jostle him on the long walk to his room. 

"That's good," Noctis tapped his shoulder as they finally approached his door, wriggling to get down, "You can leave now."

Gladio's chest expanded with a frustrated breath even as he eased him down, "You know Noctis, I'm getting real tired of this shitty attitude of yours." 

"The sullen teen act is rather… tiresome." Ignis admitted looking down, shifting his laptop in his grasp. 

Noctis looked blankly between the two of them, fists clenching at his sides.

"That's rich coming from people a few days older than me."

Gladio glared down at him, "Try a few years, and maybe lifetimes when it comes to a sense of duty."

" Gladiolus ," Ignis chided, but it was too late.

"FUCK off."

Noctis' voice echoed sharply off the walls around them. He didn't wait for a response, staggering into his room and pushing the door closed behind him with a grunt. He was not allowed to lock it for security reasons, but he leaned his weight against it. They did not follow him in. Behind the thick wood, he heard Ignis reprimanding his shield. 

"Must you always rise to his bait? You're not as mature as you think you are either…"

"Don't you start ragging on me too. I was pissed off, alright? I hate the way he talks to us , especially when you're trying to help…"

"It is what it is…" 

"Fucking shouldn't be…"

Their voices fade down the hall until he can hear no more. His chest feels heavy, and his room too cold and empty. The long shadows are diminished by the glow of city light flowing in from the floor to ceiling windows. Bending carefully, he kicked off his shoes, then loosened his tie, pulling it off and letting it fall to the floor, followed by his jacket.

Someone-- probably Ignis-- had already laid out some comfortable clothes for him on his bed, an older tshirt, and soft sleep pants. He debated climbing into bed in his stiff dinner clothes... In the end comfort won out, even if it was a slow process to change without worsening his back pain. With a groan he let himself tumble carefully into his bed covers and just lay their picking out shapes in swirls of the marble floor. The cloudy patterns eventually led his eye to his media set up, and the dimly blinking light of the game console he had left on standby that morning so King’s Knight would update while at school.

With another groan, he shifted himself and all the pillows on his bed so he could rest comfortably against his headboard. Grabbing his controller off the nightstand, he booted up his console and saw the completion message of his download for the new game upgrade. For a moment he contemplated loading up the game to try out. His fingers twitched on the control, and instead he navigated through several menus to find his friend list, to the single name found there. 

There’s a green dot next to: ♫Silver_Chocobro . Noctis clicked on it, and his thumb hovered over the button as the screen flashed with the option: invite player to voice chat?

His hands tightened on the control and before he could chicken out, he hit the confirm button. He pulled on his headset and waited as the screen switched to a party chat room while the invitation remained pending. Several minutes passed, and Noctis looked at the time on his phone. 

10:45pm

“Fuck--” Noctis felt his chest tighten with an heavy weight again. He hadn’t even considered the time, and it was a school night. He moved to cancel the invite, when suddenly his screen flashed bright. 

~ ♫Silver_Chocobro has joined the party voice chat! ~

“H-Hello?” 

Prompto’s voice sounded unsure. 

“Hey Prom.” 

“Noct! I didn’t think you’d be on tonight!” The excitement was palpable even through his headphones, and it helped to ease some of the tightness that had settled on his chest. 

“Surprise.” 

Prompto laughed giddily at his deadpan tone. Noctis recognized it as the kind of laugh that reveals the dimples in his cheeks. But strangely, he sobered and his voice held a soft sadness when he spoke again.

“I’m so sorry, Noct...”

He froze, throat drying so suddenly he needed to swallow thickly. 

“Noct?” 

“About what?” He forced the tremble out of his voice. 

“He... didn’t make it... did he?” 

He took a breath to answer and is supremely embarrassed when it hitches. Biting his lip, he remained silent and tried to blink back the tears threatening him all night. 

“No.” It’s all Noct can choke out without his voice wavering for some time, before he found the steadiness to continue, “How’d you know?” 

He thought he heard Prompto swallow, “My messages.... You-- you kept reading them...”

Noctis said nothing. He can’t. Instead he let his head fall back heavily against his pillows. Prompto sounded so genuinely sad for him, but not in the way that chafes. It’s not pity Noctis heard, but understanding . The tenseness of his shoulders eased just a little bit, his death grip on the controller loosening. 

“You at least,” Noct forced his voice to remain level, “Enjoy yours?” 

“Huh?” Prompto asked, clearly confused. 

“Dinner with your parents?” 

There’s a choked noise at the other end of the line, and Noctis’ brow crinkled. 

“Not-- Not tonight...” Prom sounded strained, and Noct  was sorry to have poked at a bruise, yet at the same time found solace in it being one they shared. 

“M’sorry too,” He commiserated, and Prompto hummed in response. The kind he used when he’s trying to collect himself after Noctis has made him nervous. 

“You at least feeling better than earlier? If-- If I’m not supposed to ask about it,” Prom suddenly babbled nervously, “I don’t want to make a sucky day, suck more.... Please just tell me to shut up, okay?” 

Noctis managed to huff a laugh, “No. No it’s fine to ask me... but uh, don’t go telling the world.” 

“I don’t have a soul to tell,” And that was a strange way of wording things, if Noct ever heard one, but Prom continued. “But also, you don’t have to tell me anything specific either, kay? It’s not my business, just let me know you’re not secretly dying or something like that, because dude, I have a super overactive imagination and my mind goes places--”

He can’t help the laugh that bubbled out of him, imagining Prompto flailing his arms about as is his custom while word vomiting. 

“Noctis! It’s not funny man! I’ve seen movies okay!! You’re not laughing because I’m right are you??” 

Even though it kind of aggravated his back, the laughter lasts long and it leaves his chest heaving for air. He no longer felt breaths away from crying, although his eyes are a little wet from the strength of his laughter. He hissed only a little bit as he shifted to a more comfortable position in his stack of pillows.

“Dude, how do you not have ulcers? ” Noctis asked when he finally calms, a chuckle still in his voice, “No, I’m not dying . I promise.” 

“Phew, okay. Seriously, glad to know that.” 

Noctis smiled to himself, feeling warm affection for the worrywort blonde filling his chest, “So, you know about the magic that powers the wall?”

“Yeah?” 

“I have some really old injuries, from when I was just a kid. Sometimes,” Noctis hesitated. It was still difficult to commit his thoughts to words at times, when he had never really had anyone who didn’t already know his history to speak them out loud to before, “Sometimes, they act up when there’s a strong pull on that magic...” 

“So-- It wasn’t anything I did today?” Prompto sounded so relieved, “Wait, so is it like when old dudes say their knees hurt when it rains?” 

“Are you calling me old ?” Noctis pulled a face that the other couldn’t see, even so he heard Prom chuckling. 

“So on the news today, they said there was another border skirmish...” Prompto said more seriously then.

Noctis felt a little proud that the other boy could piece it together without Noct having to be too explicit. Suddenly Prom gasped. 

“Wait so is your dad okay? I mean, I guess they would have said on the news if he wasn’t. I MEAN-- that sounds bad, I’m not like stalking the news to try to find out about you or your dad or anything like that. Anyway, that’s a terrible way to find out, but also you don’t have to tell me anything, again it’s really not my business. But, I hope he’s okay. I mean, I’m sure he’s fine, I just uh-- I... I’m going to shut up now...”

“Prom.”

“No,” came the very muffled reply, “I’m smothering myself with a pillow. Come back later.”

“You’ll be suffocated later.”

“That’s the point!” 

“ Prom ,” Noctis urged. 

“No really! That sounded super callous, I mean, that’s your dad. Sorry, sorry... I won’t ask anymore more, I--”

“Prom would you calm down?” Noctis chuckled. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Dad is too.” 

“Then-- then why wasn’t he at dinner with you?” 

It took Noctis a minute to follow the leap of logic when he was not an expert worrier like Prompto seemed to be. A warmth bloomed in his chest as he realized, Prom was worried for his father’s well being not as the King of Lucis, but as a father who didn’t show up for dinner with his friend, after witnessing news of the attack on the frontlines. 

“He got pulled into an emergency council meeting because of what happened. He’s okay, just busy... like always.” 

Prom’s sigh of relief was audible and it made Noctis huff. 

“You should do something about that anxiety, man. It really will give you ulcers.” 

“Yeah... I know, sorry.” 

“Whatever, it’s fine,” Noctis felt compelled to assure him. “Let’s take our minds off all this bullshit, and play the new update. Whatta ya say?” 

“Ahh, more bad news, bruh,” Prom whined a little muffled, probably pressing his face into a pillow again. “My download still hasn’t finished.” 

“Still?” Noctis raised his brows even though Prom wasn't there to see, “Why didn’t you just leave your console on stand-by so it would auto-download during school?” 

Prompto cleared his throat in the way he does before admitting something that embarrasses him. Noctis frowned at his remote, rubbing his thumb along the seam in the plastic. 

“My console is ah-- it’s second hand, so it’s got a few bugs. Mainly that like the cooling system randomly quits, so if I left it in stand-by while at school I’d probably come back to a crispy plastic husk instead of a game console, ehehe...” 

Prom laughed it off, but Noctis can tell it’s not actually a joke. 

“That blows.... How much time you got left on your download?” 

“Ahh, it still has like two hours at the rate it’s going... it’s a hard time frame to try to download such a big upgrade, my connection just isn’t that fast. Sorry...” 

“Oh,” Noctis tried to swallow down the bitterness of his disappointment for the second time tonight. Before he can say anything else, Prompto pipes up cheerfully. 

“But hey-- your download is finished right, Noct?” 

“Yeah, but I--” Noctis blinked, thrown out of his self pity to wonder suddenly if he committed another faux pas as he so often did with Prompto, “Hey, I didn’t-- I wasn’t trying to rub it in. I just... You were excited about playing earlier but I turned you down, so I just thought...” 

He trailed off, angry at himself for not being able to succinctly explain what he meant. His already volatile mood making him feel foolish for even trying. 

“Hey,” Prom interrupted his spiral, “I just mean, if yours is finished, then we can use the watch feature if you boot up your game. If I can’t play yet, I can at least live vicariously through you!” 

There’s a smile in Prom’s voice. Noctis can even picture the way Prompto would waggle his eyebrows at the end. But instead of making him feel better, his mood plummeted. 

“But that’s not the same as getting to play together...” It’s petulant, he knows it. 

“It's okay, Noct. I don’t mind just watching tonight.”

It’s not enough. For some reason. It’s just one more unfair hurdle thrown their way today that he doesn’t want to deal with. 

“You wanted to play tonight more than anything...” Noct mumbled frowning at the screen flashing Prom’s username. 

The other boy was quiet for a long while. When he broke the silence, Prom’s kind tone doesn’t irritate him the way Iggy’s does nowadays. 

“You wanted to see your dad tonight more than anything.”

His eyes widened, and he swallowed before responding low.

“That's not really a fair comparison...”

“You're right. Your night is going way worse than mine.” 

The screen before him blurred until he can no longer read the words.  

“Noct?”

He couldn't talk. If he did, he’ll embarrass himself. More than he had already tonight. So instead, he closed his eyes, letting the tears clear from his vision and focused on keeping his breaths even. 

“Buddy?”

Noctis tried to speak, and found his throat still too knotted. Clearing it, he managed to say thickly, “Hang on a second, I’ve an idea.” 

“Okay...”

With renewed determination, Noctis flew through several screens until he got to the ‘gift subscription option’. He hesitated on the length selection choice, and after glaring at the 12 month default, he slowly toggled over to the one month trial only. Typing in the username name required, he hit the accept option and waited. 

A few moments later, the notification pinged softly through Prompto’s headset. He held his breath, waiting for a reaction. 

“Noct... this is--” Prompto started confused. “Did you just-- send me a premium sub?”  

“Yeah, um,” His palms were getting sweaty, so he wiped them on his pants as he tried to speak nonchalantly to hide his nerves. “There’s an upgrade to the watch option, called share play. If one player has the game, then we can start a share session, and it allows both players to play the game even if only one has it. It’s a limit of one hour per session, but at least one of us doesn’t have to be benched like in a watch play.... It’s a feature that’s only available with a premium sub though so...” 

There was only silence on the other end of the line. Bed springs creak as Prompto moved around, but still he says nothing. A few clicks and beeps came through the headset as Prom navigated through the console menus. For a moment, he feared Prompto would disconnect their voice chat. He flopped back on his bed, studying his ornate gold leaf ceiling as he wrangled his voice into something neutral. 

“Look, I know-- I know you don't like it when I give you stuff. It's just a month trial. If you don't want it after that, you don't have to renew it again. I just...”

His voice thickened and he had to swallow several times before he could continue. Even then there’s still a shake. 

"I could really use someone to play with right now...”

The silence continued. He couldn’t even really hear Prompto’s breathing. The seconds dragged on to the point where his stomach started to clench with nerves. 

“Forget I said anything--” Noctis grimaced at the slight tremble in his voice, “The trial’s yours to keep, don’t worry about-”

“Noctis?” 

The gentleness of Prom’s tone shut down his anxious tirade immediately. He found himself answering almost hopefully.

“Yeah?”

“Can I tell you something?” Prompto’s voice is quiet and small.

“What?”

“I never had a friend to play with before.”

Noctis swallowed again, unable to answer immediately. 

“I don’t have anyone either anymore...” he admitted, “When we were younger, Iggy used to teach me all the secret combos and items to unlock... And Gladio, he’s a little older and could have wiped the floor with me if he wanted, but he used to let me win all the time. He won’t admit it, but I know he did. But then they both just... suddenly grew up one day. And left me behind....”

The intricate filigree of his ceiling wobbled in his vision. He doesn’t know why he just said all of that. There’s a knot in his chest, his cheeks were damp, and his breathing wasn’t completely steady. He felt unsure, raw and-- bared.

"Noct?” Prompto’s voice has a watery quality to it, but Noct’s not going to be an ass and point it out.

“Ah huh?” Noct tried desperately not to sniffle, and cleared his own throat of its tightness as he rubbed his face.

"I'm so gonna kick your ass,” despite the bobble in his voice, he could hear the grin spreading across Prom’s freckled cheeks. 

Noct let out a wet laugh, and sat up straighter, "You fuckin’ wish!"

It’s well past midnight by the time Regis entered his son’s room after the council adjourned. The glow of the tv screen cast the room in a pale bluish light. Noctis was asleep with his headset only half twisted off one ear, and a controller still held loose in his hand. He carefully removed the headset from his son’s head and smoothed his hair as Noct stirred before settling in his sleep again. The controller was much easier to pull away without disturbing him. He checked the screen to make sure there’s not a game still in progress that his son would bemoan being shut off without first being saved. 

There was indeed a game in progress on screen. The character his son was playing just standing idle. Before he can save however, Regis eye caught the blink of the new message icon over the chat box in the left corner. A few messages were marked unread from someone called: ♫Silver_Chocobro .

~

[[♫Silver_Chocobro  12:41am]]  Noct? you stopped talking, you okay?

[[♫Silver_Chocobro  12:43am]]  Noct??? (੭ु ‾᷄ᗣ‾᷅ )੭ु⁾⁾

[[♫Silver_Chocobro  12:44am]]  OMG, you fell asleep didn’t you?  =___= old man.....

[[♫Silver_Chocobro  12:46am]]  sweet dreams, Noct~♥

Chapter Text

He didn't normally beat Noctis to school. When the school year started, Prompto usually skid into the school yard as Noctis was already making his way into the building. Once their friendship started growing, Noctis would wait for him at the school gate, and they'd walk in together. He always chirped a bright good morning to Ignis who waited by the car until the Prince entered the school property. Something about security measures Noctis glossed over one time. He didn't much like talking about the stuff that exclusively involved his being the Prince, so Prom tried his best not to pry. 

It was their new routine of sorts. If it was raining, like today, Noct would wait inside for him playing with his phone at Prom’s locker, something about Ignis wouldn't let him stand in the rain. He wondered idly now, as he raced toward the school doors, if it had anything to do with his old back injury.

But today his locker was a strange sight, standing completely unguarded. Come to think of it, ever since he’d fully explained the slushie incident to him, Noctis had made it a point to always accompany him whenever Prompto needed to go to his locker. Seeing no trace of him now, nor of Ignis with the car outside... He swallowed down his jittery nerves and switched his shoes and books as quickly as he could, slamming his locker too loud and earning a few looks for it before hurrying to class. 

Inside their homeroom, nearly everyone had arrived, but the seat behind his was empty. Worry gnawed at his stomach, remembering how pale and tense Noctis had been the day prior. How sad and lonely he had sounded last night, before they stayed up way later than they should have playing the new King’s Knight update. Pulling out his phone, their chat highlighted Noct’s last activity time, ‘last online 12:27am.’

Something moved in his peripheral but it was too late to do anything but trip. He caught himself on a desk, but his phone cracked loudly against the floor. Looking over his shoulder, Lucretius openly smirked at him, making a show of pulling his foot back as his friends muffled their laughter. Prompto sighed heavily and just rolled his eyes, not deigning to respond to the frankly childish antics. Grabbing his phone, he frowned at it as he finally took his seat. 

Only the case seemed to have cracked, thank the Gods. Dusting it off, he fired off a quick text before class could start. 

______________________________

7:21am  ::|::Prom::|::

you ok, dude? where are you?

______________________________

A few minutes of staring at the screen produced no response. Pouting at the screen,  Prompto made sure it was on silent, as their professor walked in and called for the start of class. Taking a cue from his missing companion, Prom propped up his history book, although instead of napping behind it, he kept his phone on his desk. Ready to see if any response came through during class, even if it meant risking a detention. 

Over half an hour later his screen flashed. 

______________________________

8:03am  ::|::Noct::|::

FUCK

______________________________

It took all Prompto had in him not to burst out laughing in the middle of Professor Annalis boring lecture. 

______________________________

8:04am  ::|::Prom::|::

yea, class already started LOL ヾ(◍’౪`◍)ﾉﾞ

______________________________

8:05am  ::|::Noct::|::

no. not that.

i’m AWAKE 

and for no damn reason apparently

______________________________

8:05am  ::|::Prom::|::

school isn’t a reason?  (｡・ω・｡)?

______________________________

8:06am  ::|::Noct::|::

not when i can’t go it’s not  (｀⌒´メ)

______________________________

8:06am  ::|::Prom::|::

and here i thought you hated school (´౪`∗)

______________________________

8:07am  ::|::Noct::|::

i DO hate school. 

but now i won’t get to see you 

______________________________

8:08am  ::|::Prom::|::

oh... (〃￣ω￣〃ゞ    

______________________________

8:08am  ::|::Prom::|::

wait, but are you ok?

______________________________

8:10am  ::|::Noct::|::

um

kinda didn’t listen to my doc yesterday...

and fucked up my back worse

______________________________

8:10am  ::|::Noct::|::

DON'T judge me

______________________________

8:11am  ::|::Prom::|::

judging a little only

you need to take better care of yourself man!

______________________________

8:12am  ::|::Noct::|::

you're one to talk

pot meet kettle

______________________________

8:13am  ::|::Prom::|::

what's that's supposed to mean?

______________________________

8:13am  ::|::Noct::|::

nvm

you have a sacred mission now

______________________________

8:14am  ::|::Prom::|::

say what? XD

______________________________

8:14am  ::|::Prom::|::

Keep me from boredom. Play a round of king's knight with me

______________________________

8:15am  ::|::Prom::|::

Noct, I'M still at school 

AND i don't want detention

______________________________

8:16am  ::|::Noct::|::

Goddammit

______________________________

8:16am  ::|::Prom::|::

sorry buddy. you gonna survive? 

______________________________

8:17am  ::|:: Noct::|::

Yeah yeah (-、-)

______________________________

“Alright everyone. Now that we’ve reviewed up through the end of the fifth century, for the next two weeks, you’ll need to divide into groups. You will need to choose a prominent figure from the first through fifth centuries of the dynasty and present their contributions to society, as well as argue cause and effect of their actions on how we live today.”

Prompto blinked, his attention snapping back to the class he was meant to be listening to. Following the professor’s announcement was an immediate chorus of groans throughout the class. Prom felt his stomach drop, knowing exactly how this was going to end for him from years of experience. Sneaking his phone under his desk, he typed out a quick text. 

______________________________

8:28am  ::|::Prom::|::

six-dammit. group project in history.... (ᗒᗩᗕ)՞

______________________________

8:29am  ::|::Noct::|::

aren’t I lucky not to have to be there~ (￣︶￣;)

______________________________

8:29am  ::|::Prom::|::

it’s not due for two weeks so you can’t escape!!! (*＇Д＇)ﾉｼ)ﾟﾛﾟ )

______________________________

8:30am  ::|::Noct::|::

dammit... (ーー;)

______________________________

The class was abuzz with movement and chatter. Chairs screeched loudly against the floor as students got up then clustered into groups, calling to each other and making room by shifting their desks or chairs together. 

No one approached Prompto, not that he expected them to anyway.  As he looked up from his desk, everyone in the room had either put their back to him, or were engaged in conversation so that they did not have to acknowledge his presence. 

“Argentum,” Professor Annalis' voice rose over the din of his classmates. Some finally looked nervously in his direction. 

Great. Nothing like being forcibly assigned to a group that did not want him there. 

“You can work on this alone,” she finished, looking at him pointedly over his glasses as if daring him to argue. 

“Oh,” Prompto wasn’t sure if it was relief or further disappointment that tempered his voice, “Sure no problem, Prof!” 

“Hmm,” She pressed her lips together at the moniker, but said nothing more, turning back to the papers at her desk. 

Someone snickered off to his right. He resisted the urge to sigh, and pulled open his history text instead, trying to look for a suitable figure to base the project on that wouldn’t already be claimed. Today was going to be another of those days. 

His attention drifted towards his phone again, and the new message there. 

______________________________

8:41am  ::|::Noct::|::

Teacher: Sorry you’re ill, feel better soon

Also Teacher: Here’s a 150 question assignment due the minute you come back to class 

______________________________

Prompto stifled his laughter behind his hand and tried to focus on his assignment. 

The second day of the prince’s absence from school had raised a few questions from their classmates. The homeroom teacher had succinctly squashed inquiries with a curt explanation of political duties conflicting with the prince’s school schedule. Prompto remained silent in his seat as his classmates whispered around him, feeling a strange sense of privilege at being privy to the truth. But as the day dragged on, he keenly missed the dry humor that Noct had the ability to inject into any situation. The stupid puns that he’d use to distract Prompto in those moments that would otherwise overwhelm him with anxiety, and even the sleepy complaints of boredom he’d grumble from the chair behind him. 

The bell sounded signifying the end of third period, and the classroom buzzed to life as everyone packed away their books and papers to head out of the door. Prompto tarried a bit as he noticed his phone flashing with a blue notification light. 

______________________________

10:21am  ::|::Noct::|::

this blows. i should at least get to skip make-up work if I’m feeling sick. 

______________________________

10:24am  ::|::Prom::|::

so you mean...

I shouldn’t have asked the profs if there was something I could collect for you? Σ(￣ロ￣lll)

______________________________

10:24am  ::|::Noct::|::

that was you?!

who’s side are you on?!?!?  ( •̀_•́ )凸

______________________________

Prompto snorted in amusement at his phone and gathered his things to head for study hall, a period he usually spent goofing off with Noctis when he was present. He was almost to the door when an annoyed voice called after him. 

“Mr. Argentum, a moment please.” 

Prompto physically resisted hunching his shoulders. There were still several classmates loitering, and now that he’d been called to the teacher’s attention, he could tell a few purposefully stayed behind to eavesdrop. He bit his lip as he approached the desk, fiddling with the strap of his bag. 

“Y-Yes, Professor Celsus?” 

“This is the second exam where you get all the answers correct, but your work for the problems does not correlate to the answer.” 

Prompto took a shaky breath, willing his hands to still by gripping his bag strap tightly. 

“I can see from the diagrams you are drawing on the margins, you have some understanding of the concepts. But if you continue not to provide proof of the work for your final answer on the next test, I will have to assume you are coming to your answer by other means.” 

His brow creased, and he tried to ignore the whispers of a small group of classmates behind him, “Other means, sir?” 

“Don’t play stupid, Argentum. If you’re clever enough not to have been caught in the act by now, then you know how to cheat quite expertly. However, I don’t abide by cheaters.” 

He could feel the color drain from his face so quickly he actually felt dizzy, his words caught in his suddenly dry throat, “W-What?! But I-I’m not--” 

“Show your work, Mr. Argentum. Or not only will I fail you on this next exam, but I will see to it that the Dean is apprised of your ill habits. You are here, after all, on an academic scholarship. One has to wonder if it is deserved . Am I understood, Argentum?” 

The color that had drained away rushed back just as quickly, his face positively burning at the series of snickers he could hear behind him now. He swallowed thickly, and nodded before he could find his voice. 

“Y-Yes, sir...” 

Professor Celsus rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in anything else he had to say. Someone murmured something behind him and another round of sniggering erupted. Prompto turned and left the room, head down, and breath tight in his chest. Walking down the hall towards the library, all eyes seemed to follow him, every loud laugh felt like a jeer directed his way. He didn’t stop until he reached the sequestered corner of the library that he usually claimed with Noctis whenever they had study hall together. 

His hands shook as he pulled out his Maths text and turned to the current chapter. Reviewing the material they had just been tested on. As the professor stated, all of his answers were indeed correct. He had no doubt of it, the problems were still easy enough for him to work in his head. His issue was translating those calculations that his mind wove together so easily onto the paper for others to understand how he determined the answer. It was something Prompto had experienced difficulty with for as long as he could remember. However, his elementary and middle school teachers had all been thrilled at his advanced skills enough that they had focused on challenging his talents to see how far he could go, rather than making sure he figured out a way to demonstrate his mental calculations. No one had ever accused him of cheating as brazenly as Prof Celsus had. 

Lighting up with a new message, his phone flashed blue again on the table top and Prom glanced at it. 

______________________________

10:37am  ::|::Noct::|::

up for a round of king’s knight? 

______________________________

Prompto pulled the exam form Prof. Celsus had returned during class, and unfolded it to stare at the large 69% written in bold angry red ink across the top. He double checked his answers. None of them were wrong, but little red inked notes littered the paper. 

This is correct, but where’s your proof? How did you get to this number? Not enough work shown. PROVE YOUR WORK. 

Alone in the quiet calm of the library, Prompto tried to steady the breaths that were choking his throat at the moment. The exam paper crinkled as he clenched his hands and fought to breathe deeply.

______________________________

10:42am  ::|::Noct::|::

Prom?  

______________________________

With shaking hands, Prompto swallowed back the lump in this throat and replied.

______________________________

10:48am  ::|::Prom::|::

sorry dude, kinda bombed last week’s math test. 

______________________________

Prompto flipped idly through the pages of this week's subject matter, brain working on autopilot and resolving all the example problems before his eyes landed on the solutions further down the page. The illustrated examples of the proof work might as well be gibberish for all that they made sense to him despite concluding in the same result as what he had already mentally solved.   

______________________________

10:52am  ::|::Noct::|::

wait srsly? 

but your even better than i am at maths

______________________________

10:52am  ::|::Prom::|::

you know that’s not hard when you sleep thru most of class right? 

______________________________

10:53am  ::|::Noct::|::

jeez, don’t call me out like that haha!! xD

______________________________

He tried to reign in the sense of dread the professor’s threat had left him with. If he was accused of cheating, and his scholarship eligibility was put into question-- would he even be able to defend himself, when he couldn’t figure out how to write out a simple math proof? Without his scholarship, he had no hope of being able to attend this school... For all its downsides, it had led him to befriending Noct. What hope did he have of continuing that friendship, if he was forced to change back to public school?

Prompto scrubbed at his eyes and tapped down on his hitching breaths. Picking up his phone, he typed out a message. Erased it. Typed another, and edited that again. Finally he hit send, and let his cheek drop onto his math book as he waited for Noct’s response. 

______________________________

10:55am  ::|::Prom::|::

gonna need to use study hall to actually...

//shivers//  

STUDY... (ಥ﹏ಥ)

______________________________

10:54am  ::|::Noct::|::

LOL

no sweat 

lemme know if you need help tho, i’m not terrible at math

despite sleeping thru or maybe BECAUSE of sleeping thru Celsus’ sad excuse for teaching

______________________________

Prompto felt his eyes water as he read the professor’s name. But all he typed was--

______________________________

10:55am  ::|::Prom::|::

Thanks~♥

______________________________

The third day Noct was absent from school, Prompto ate his lunch in quiet solitude on the roof, even though the Autumn was beginning to chill the air. It wasn’t any colder than the icy shoulders his classmates turned his way whenever Noctis was not around. By now, they had learned to include him if they wanted any hope of the Prince’s attention. 

Prom quirked a smile as he stabbed at a cucumber, remembering the time last month when one of the boys in their class tried to invite Noctis to an exclusive meet-and-greet for the latest release of Justice Monsters game series. 

~

“Sounds interesting...” Noctis had shrugged in a bored way, then turned to Prompto, shocking everyone present. “Whatta ya say, Prom?”

“Um, actually,” Arrisor had interrupted urgently before Prompto could answer, earning a cold stare from the Prince, “I only have the one extra ticket, so...” 

Prompto had a placation ready, more than accustomed to rejection. But before he could open his mouth, Noctis stood from his chair with a sigh, throwing an arm over Prompto’s shoulders and gently guiding them both towards the exit. 

“Pity,” the Prince threw over his shoulder, “Hope you enjoy yourself with someone else then.” 

They left the classroom, leaving behind Arrisor shocked and gaping in front of the rest of the whole class. 

“Noct,” he had whispered as soon as they were out of earshot, “You love Justice Monsters.” 

“Yeah but,” Noctis looked at him sidelong as they walked the hall, exasperated, “Without you, it’d be so boring .” 

Prompto had barked a shocked laugh, scratching at his nose to try and hide his blush.

~

Of course with the prince absent, there was no need to make any friendly efforts towards him, feigned or otherwise. Prompto would rather be alone than in bad company anyway. Loneliness was an old friend after all.... Except its edges were a little sharper ever since befriending Noctis. 

Taking out his phone, he snapped a picture of his particularly veggie-filled salad and sent it to Noct. 

______________________________

01:37pm  ::|::Prom::|::

[img1247.jpg]

Yum!! ٩(*ゝڡ◕๑)۶♥

_______________________________

01:37pm  ::|::Noct::|::

//shudders

get that shit away from me!! (｡´>д<)っ彡☆

_______________________________

01:38pm  ::|::Prom::|::

ʱªʱªʱª (ᕑᗢूᓫ∗)

_______________________________

His laughter rang clear across the empty rooftop, chasing away the jagged edges of his loneliness. 

As the fourth day rolled around and Noctis was still not back, worry gnawed at Prompto’s stomach. His phone had been unusually quiet all morning, normally he would have gotten a string of texts by now. Sitting on the locker room bench as he changed for P.E. class, he typed out a quick message.

______________________________

11:40am  ::|::Prom::|::

hey 

how you feelin? 

_______________________________

His phone buzzed almost immediately after he set it in his locker. He was going to be late, but he couldn’t resist the urge to check the reply.

_______________________________

11:41am  ::|::Noct::|::

Specs is being an ASShole. （╬◣_◢)

i’ve felt fine for TWO whole days now and he still won’t let me go back yet

i’m going crazy looking at these four walls!!

_______________________________

11:41am  ::|::Prom::|::

i’m sure he’s just lookin out for you. 

you didn’t see your face that day, bro. i was really worried... (´•̥ ᵔ •̥`)

glad you’re feeling better tho (ˊ•͈ ◡ •͈ˋ)

_______________________________

11:42am  ::|::Noct::|::

what about you?

_______________________________

11:42am  ::|::Prom::|::

huh?

_______________________________

11:42am  ::|::Noct::|::

you doing alright?

_______________________________

11:43am  ::|::Prom::|::

why wouldn’t i be?

_______________________________

Three dots appeared at the end of his screen along with ‘ Noct is typing’ when the bell resonated through the locker room signaling the start of class. 

“Shit, I’m late!!” Prompto jerked up from the bench and haphazardly threw his phone inside his locker. 

It bounced off the metal wall with a clang before landing on his folded uniform as he slammed the locker shut and raced outside to the field. Midway there he realized he forgot his jacket and the crisp Autumn air made his skin instantly turn to gooseflesh. It was too late to turn back, as it was he’d probably garner a detention with his luck. Rubbing his arms to warm himself up, he made it to the track just as the rest of the class was finishing up their warm ups and starting to jog on the track.

Most kids groaned about it, but Prompto loved whenever they had track and field activities. At least he knew with his years of practice that he couldn’t embarrass himself in this, and it didn’t require any awkward team forming moments where he knew he’d be the last pick. 

“Argentum,” Coach Aecus called, and Prompto bit back a groan knowing what was coming, “Don’t skip stretching before you get on the track, alright?”

He skid to a stop in shock, blinking at the instructor but the man had gone back to his stopwatch and clipboard. 

“Yes, sir!” he acknowledged and went to a quick series of warm ups that were well and familiar to him before walking up to the starting line. The coach waved at him to pause a moment, hitting another button on his watch. 

“Alright kid, show me what you got, go.” 

Prompto let muscle memory take over and the beat of his feet hitting the pavement over and over was like its own form of therapy to him. On the track, it was just him, the cold air outside and his stamina. Years of self-training allowed him to zone out, and just move with practiced ease. Even though he started last, he soon overtook most of his classmates without even having to set a pace that pushed him into losing his breath. There were few things that Prompto could feel proud or accomplished about, but in this he knew he could outperform the majority of his schoolmates. 

By the end of the first lap, Prompto had caught up to the front of the pack led by none other than Lucretius as his usual band of jerks. They set a good pace, but for Prompto, it was not fast enough and he would either have to slow down or go around them if he wanted to keep his rhythm uninterrupted. If he stayed behind them... he could avoid their attention, but it would also force him to get a longer time then what he could actually achieve. One of the boys glanced over his shoulder, motioned to Prompto so the others looked over as well, then said something that had them all laughing. 

Well fuck that noise. 

Prompto knit his brows in determination. Diverting his path, he picked up speed and jogged around them, easily out pacing them and then taking up a position a few meters ahead of them on the inside lane of the track. He ignored the few curses thrown his way as the others picked up the pace just to keep up with him. Breathing even and measured, Prompto just kept moving. 

“Hey, Argentum-- What’s- What’s the hurry, huh?” 

Prompto resolutely ignored Lucretius’ slightly breathless words. He further picked up the pace just enough that it was a challenge even for himself, and that he knew would exhaust the boys behind him if they tried to keep up for too long. They could eat his dust. It felt good . 

He passed Coach Aecus again for the final lap as he shouted excitedly after him, “Argentum! Keep it up and you’ll set a school record! Ever think about the track team?” 

His face colored from more than just the cold wind on his cheeks. The thought had never crossed his mind that he’d ever be good enough for any school sport. That their coach would suggest it in front of the whole class made his blood rush in his ears in a pleasant way. 

The pace he had set to annoy the others was starting to wear on him, and seeing as he was nearly half a lap ahead, he figured slowing a bit would be alright at this point. He didn’t necessarily want a school record anyway. But joining the track team? He hadn’t considered the possibility before now, wouldn’t have even had the nerve to try before this year. Now, with the finish line in his sights, he wondered what it would be like to cross it during a real event, with other competitors surrounding him, and the stands full of people....

“Hey Argentum-- track this!!” 

He felt the hands on his back just as the growled words penetrated his distracted thoughts. They shoved him hard, and he had no hope of stopping his forward momentum when someone else’s foot swept across his ankles. The track rushed up to meet him even as he tried to catch himself with his flailing arms. 

The resounding smack of his fall echoed loudly across the field. 

Chapter Text

The resounding crack of his fall echoed across the field. 

He skid then rolled, feeling like he left half his skin on the unforgiving track. Lucretius’ laughter rose above the ringing in his ears as he groaned in pain where he lay. Several pairs of feet hardly slowed to move around him towards the finish line, some murmuring while others joined in to laugh.

Torn skin shifted painfully over his kneecaps as he pushed himself up into a sitting position on the hard track, making him hiss. Blood ran down his arm where his elbow was also missing a chunk of skin. His cheek and brow throbbed where he hadn't quite managed to keep his face off the pavement as he fell, but after running shaky fingertips across it gingerly, there didn’t seem to be any bleeding. Pain pierced through his right wrist like a knife, and he bit back a whimper, wrapping his fingers around his wristband. 

“Argentum!” Coach Aecus was jogging over, brow creased with worry, “ Six , kid-- you alright? What the hell happened?” 

Prom looked up from his pitiful heap on the ground, “Uh... I think I tripped over a shoelace?” 

Coach Aecus glanced down at his feet, to Prompto’s neatly tied sneakers. When he looked back up at Prompto, the flat line of his mouth broadcast his annoyance. He crouched down beside Prompto and felt along his arms and shoulders squeezing very lightly. 

“Anything feel funny in a wrong way? Knees, ankles? Why are you holding your wrist like that?” 

“My-- My wrist kinda hurts,” he swallowed as he admitted, looking down at his lap.  Great, he’d smeared blood on his gym shirt too...

Coach Aecus frowned, peering over his shoulder at where Lucretius and the others were still catching their breath beyond the finish line, “Look kid, I can help you. But you gotta tell me something’s going on, or I gotta catch someone in the act. This school has a no bullying policy, you know that right?” 

Prom snorted and allowed himself a sardonic laugh, “Sure, right. Course it does.” 

“Kid--” 

“I tripped over my shoelaces, Coach.” Silence followed his dead tone. 

The older man watched him sadly before sighing and offering a hand up as he stood, “Alright, come on. Let’s walk you to the nurse then.” 

“M’fine, I can finish--” 

“Prompto, you hit your head and you're bleeding all over yourself. Nurse, now .” 

Coach Aecus pulled the shell shocked blonde to his feet, then put a careful arm around his shoulders to guide him off the track. Pausing at the line where most of the class stood, he blew his whistle for everyone’s attention. 

“Alright, everybody walk three cool down laps while I get back from the infirmary.”

“What the hell, Coach?!” Lucretius yelled breathlessly, looking like a wet dog after having dumped a bottle of water over his head. It made a dark little corner of Prom’s mind delighted that the redhead had to exert himself so much just to be able to catch up to him before he could pull his dirty stunt. When Lucretius glared in his direction though, Prom quickly turned his eyes away. 

“That’s four for you, Percivax,” Coach Aecus scowled at Lucretius, then challenged the rest of the class, “Anyone else?” 

A chorus of nervous ‘ No sir’ sounded off after the instructor’s words, although several students quietly bemoaned life as they got back on the track. Prompto could still feel Lucretius’ angry stare burning a hole into him, but chose not to meet his gaze, intently studying his shoes until the coach approached again. 

“C’mon, Prompto.” 

He had little choice but to follow numbly, still processing the fact that he had heard his name twice within the span of a few minutes. None of the other teachers here ever called him by his given name. 

Chewing the inside of his cheek to keep himself from whimpering, the pair made their way back into the building and down the long corridor leading to the infirmary. Coach Aecus kept their pace slow and easy, mindful of Prompto’s throbbing knees and limping steps. Still, Prom kept his head down and mouth shut, unwilling to break whatever spell of kindness possessed the coach with one of his ill-timed babblings. This was... nice and he wanted it to last as long as possible. When they entered the cold air of the infirmary, scented of mild disinfectant and far too bright and white a space, Prompto let himself break the long stretch of silence between them. 

“Um,” Prompto paused when Coach Aecus gave him his full attention, but no annoyance colored his face, and no reprimand was forthcoming, “Um, I left my uniform... in the locker room... I need to change back for class.” 

Coach Aecus finally showed some aggravation, “You’re something else kid. Let’s get you patched up first and make sure you’re okay to even go back in the first place. I’ll get your uniform for you then, and you can change here. Just give me your locker number, alright?”  

“O-Oh?” Prom answered unsure, taking the pad the older man handed him and scribbling down his locker and code. Coach Aecus huffed as he took it back, rubbing his face as he grumbled something unintelligible. 

“Helena, you in here?” He called out, then urged Prom to sit on the nearest bed. “Gotta kid that needs patching up, and a pass for the rest of the day.”

“What?!”  Prompto squeaked out in a hoarse whisper, eyes wide, “But--”’ 

Coach Aecus poked his bloody elbow and Prompto broke off in shocked hiss, daring to glare at the instructor. The man shook his head, “You should rest or you’re gonna feel like shit tomorrow, kid.”

“My goodness, what trouble have you caused now?” the nurse came round the bend of a curtained off section of the infirmary. She was an older woman with salt and pepper hair, a severe expression and perfectly coiffed bun.  

“No trouble. Accident on the track,” Coach Aecus clarified before Prom could say a word, his tone strangely defensive. 

She raised a brow at the coach, gathering some supplies off the shelf, “If you say so.”

“I do say so," Aecus narrowed his eyes briefly, before offering to Prom, "I’ll go get your uniform while she works on that, okay kid?”

Prompto nodded dumbly while the nurse set to work. Pulling a rolling cart closer, she started with his knees. The burn of the peroxide made his eyes water, and he fought valiantly to keep them from leaking down his reddened face. He was mortified enough without letting the nurse see him in tears over some skinned knees. Although, he did wish she would be a tad more gentle, or at least let him do it himself if she was so put out about it. Biting his lip hard, he simply kept his mouth shut and swallowed as many hisses and whimpers as he could endure until she finished. Breathing a sigh of relief when she finally released his now bandaged elbow, the air caught in his throat at her next words.

“Please take off your wristband.” 

Prompto stared up at her with horrified glassy eyes.

“U-Um, no it’s fine. I don’t-- I’ll just get it checked by my primary later, yeah?” His voice shook, and he swallowed back his quickening breath when she reached for his wrist. He jerked it away sharply. 

“Stop being insubordinate and wasting my time. If you want a pass for the rest of the day, then take that off and let me check your wrist, young man.” 

“I-I didn’t ask for the rest of the day off,” Prom’s voice had a desperate edge, “I’m fine with staying in class, just-- I’ll go change, please--” 

He choked off when she firmly gripped his forearm and reached for the band. The ache spread through his whole arm as he ripped it out of her grasp with a strength that shocked a startled cry from the old nurse. 

“ STOP! ” his panicked yelp echoed loudly around the small space. 

Prompto curled his body protectively around his wrist, breathing hard in the silence that followed. The air conditioner kicked on in unison with the nurse’s angry sigh as she glowered at him after his outburst. 

“Why you--”

“ Helena ,” Coach Aecus interrupted with a sharp edge from the doorway where he held Prompto’s bag and bundled uniform under his arm.“Can I talk to you in the other room for a minute?” 

His tone brooked no argument. Helena looked up, face pinched and then nodded stiffly. The coach stopped momentarily to set down Prom’s belongings next to him on the bed. 

“Here you go, kid. Got your phone too, alright?” He patted Prompto’s head.

Prompto didn’t look up from the gauze slowly soaking up blood from his injured knees, just watched as two pairs of shoes turned and left for the other room. The door clicked softly closed behind them. He sat wide-eyed and shaking for several long moments, before he could reign the panic back in. Eventually, his eyes slid over to his folded clothes and phone.  

Electing to carefully slide off the gurney, Prompto picked up the uniform Coach Aecus had retrieved and stepped behind the curtain to change. Every single movement pulled at the torn skin over his joints, showering later was going to be a bitch . 

The notification light on his phone blinked in a slow repetitive pattern, but before he could swipe his passcode over the lockscreen, the office door creaked open again. Coach Aecus exited with an annoyed tilt to his brow heading straight towards him. Prompto hurriedly shoved his phone in his pocket, searching behind the man to see if the nurse was following. 

“Alright, kid. Here’s what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna have a look at your wrist--” 

“I’m fine, really--” Prompto squeaked out in alarm, backing up until he bumped into the gurney behind him. 

“Prompto--” Aecus closed his eyes with a sigh when Prom flinched at the harsh tone of his name, then continued more calmly, “I won't remove your wristband, okay? We’re just going to do some range of motion tests to see if you’ve got a sprain. Then you can go home. Will you trust me?” 

Prom gulped, feeling his stomach flip a few times in his gut. He was suddenly very glad he skipped breakfast again this morning, and that all of this was happening before lunch, otherwise his nerves would have rejected all the contents of his stomach by now. Glancing from his wristband to the Coach before him, he slowly nodded. 

“O-Okay...” 

He lowered his gaze to the floor, counting the spots in the speckled tile as Aecus approached and held out his hand. The tremble in his arm was obvious, but there was nothing Prom could do about it, so he just pressed his lips tightly and kept his eyes averted. True to his word, Coach Aecus did not attempt to remove the band, only carefully moved his hand this way and that until Prompto cried out in pain at a certain motion. 

“Tsk, yeah that's sprained... Not terribly though, at least as far as I can tell. It probably helped that you had this on,” he tapped the wristband very lightly before letting go. “You should ice it tonight, and your face too. You got packs at home?” 

Prompto cradled his wrist close to his chest, rubbing over the band. Looking up at the instructor, he swallowed past his nervousness, “Um... I have ice?” 

He winced as he ended in a question. Coach Aecus shook his head with a wry quirk of his mouth, and walked over to one of the small white coolers lining the wall. Pulling out two cold packs, he wrapped them in towels before handing them over to Prompto. 

“Don’t use these without a barrier like a towel or shirt okay? Don’t worry about bringing them back either, they’re on me. One last thing--” Aecus walked back over to the desk and scribbled on a pink pad then ripped off the top leaf, “Here’s your pass for the rest of today. Just go home and take it easy. Show this to your professors tomorrow to excuse your absence. Any one of them gives you trouble-- you just come find me, got it?” 

When Aecus was within arms reach, he ruffled Prompto’s hair with one hand, holding out the note in the other. Prom blinked at it, sucking on his bottom lip hard to keep it from wibbling. 

“T-Thanks, Coach...” 

“No problem, kid. Think about those track team tryouts next month okay?” He winked at Prompto and patted his head twice, “Now get out of here.” 

“Yes, sir...” Prom mumbled, picking up his bag and leaving the room stiffly. 

His knees throbbed, his elbow stung, and his head pounded with every movement. The side of his face felt hot and swollen where it had hit the pavement, and he was not looking forward to the spectacular bruising that was sure to develop overnight. The emptiness of the hallways between classes creeped him out. His already nervous stomach roiled further with unease as he glanced around, paranoid of every noise until he made it out to the courtyard.

The train ride home passed in a blur of steadily increasing pain. He was glad the Coach had insisted he leave early. By the time he managed to limp through his door, his head pounded with the beat of his pulse. It was all he could do to down some painkillers and let himself fall onto his tiny lumpy mattress to just rest for a moment. 

Throwing an arm over his eyes, it was tempting to just stay there, but he had a math assignment to finish for tomorrow. After the threat from Prof. Celsus earlier in the week, he didn't dare provoke the man further with lazily completed homework. Dragging himself out of bed with a groan of pain, he limped over to his rickety desk to set himself to the task.  

The first few problems were easy. He had them calculated mentally almost as soon as he finished reading the question. Having to write the math in his head out onto the paper was annoying, but feasible. As the difficulty increased with each subsequent question, he enjoyed the challenge of the mental computations despite his headache. But translating what he so effortlessly worked out in his head onto the page slowly became a nightmare. Twice he snapped his pencil tip as he scribbled frustrated reverse calculations, trying desperately to work his way backwards from what he knew to be the correct answer in order to provide the proofs Prof. Celsus was demanding. He was erasing a badly executed proof for the third time when the eraser rubbed a hole straight through the page.

"Six-dammit!" He slammed the eraser on the desk, forgetting in his frustration that it was his sprained wrist he held it in. The pain rocketed up his arm like a bolt of electricity, "Fuck, ow, ow, ow, owww!!" 

His voice cracked as he complained into the emptiness of his little apartment. Breaths hissing through his teeth, he set his uninjured cheek down on his good arm, uncaring as the infuriating pages of his stupid assignment crinkled under his weight. Calculations blurred as he stared, trying to breathe through the crippling sense of failure. The fog of drowsiness that had been plaguing him since his near panic in the infirmary settled heavily over him in that moment, and he shivered as he closed his eyes to rest just a moment, to block out the terrible no good day for only a few seconds. Prompto remembered distantly that you shouldn’t sleep after having hit your head, but a deep tide of unconsciousness pulled him under before he could attempt to lift his head from the book. 

A car horn blared angrily through the darkness that had settled over his apartment several hours later. 

Prompto woke with a start while someone cursed colorfully outside on the street below his window. An engine roared to life as the still honking car sped away down the street, several more hollers rising after it from other pedestrians outside. He could feel his pulse in his cheek where it pressed against his arm, pounding in time with the pain of his head that had intensified a dizzying amount. 

“Definitely should not have gone to sleep,” he whimpered to himself, moving to rub his temple only to pull short at the sharp pain in his wrist. “Ah, fuck me....” 

A shower, a shower would help... maybe. Struggling up from the desk, he peeled off his rumpled uniform, cursing at himself. Now he’d have to iron out all the wrinkles before tomorrow. Grabbing the abandoned cold packs from his bag, he shoved them into the freezer before he could forget again and stumbled his way into the bathroom. He had been right, showering was a bitch, but the cold water soothed his pounding head and other aches.

By the time he replaced his bandages, it was long past dinner time. Not that he had much of anything to make a proper meal with this week regardless. He opted for a protein bar instead and a cup of unflavored yogurt, grabbing the now cooled ice packs on the way back to his bed. Laying on his back, he plopped one on the side of his swollen face and rested his now bandless wrist atop the other, sighing up at his ceiling as he replayed the day's events in his mind. 

“ Shit!! ” 

He rolled awkwardly out of bed, trying to bend his aching knees as little as possible to grab his phone out of his uniform pockets. He had never answered Noct. The notification light still glowed a deep blue. He’d chosen that color because it reminded him of Noctis' eyes. 

Fumbling the passcode twice with his off hand, he finally unlocked his phone. It jumped to his last message before PE class had started. 

_______________________________

11:43am  ::|::Prom::|::

why wouldn’t i be?

_______________________________

He really had to go and tempt fate like that?  It was no wonder the day had turned into a wreck . Prompto scrubbed his hair and sighed deeply, eyes drifting to the string of unread replies from Noct. 

_______________________________

11:45am  ::|::Noct::|::

it’s just

i see what happens when I’m around. ok?

_______________________________

11:46am  ::|::Noct::|::

I don’t imagine it gets any better when I’m not...

_______________________________

11:46am  ::|::Noct::|::

don’t like the idea of you having a hard time, ok?

that’s all

_______________________________

11:52am  ::|::Noct::|::

Prom?

______________________________

11:57am  ::|::Noct::|::

Prom...?

______________________________

12:09pm  ::|::Noct::|::

c’mon Prom...

______________________________

1:02pm  ::|::Noct::|::

u mad, bro? (￣^￣;*)

______________________________

2:55pm  ::|::Noct::|::

[[deleted message]]

______________________________

4:10pm  ::|::Noct::|::

[[deleted message]]

_____________________________

5:29pm  ::|::Noct::|::

i’m sorry... (-公- ;)

_____________________________

6:03pm  ::|::Noct::|::

Prom????? are you alive?!?

______________________________

Violet eyes swept back and forth reading the messages in the thread. The fingers of his injured hand twisting in the towel wrapped around the ice pack as he paused on the deleted message stamps, then the apology. Ever since their misunderstanding in the parking garage, Noctis had been so studiously careful about avoiding words and actions that might offend him again. The prince still stumbled now and then with careless comments, or second guessed himself into deleting a text. It was as if he were afraid that one wrong move would cost him Prompto’s friendship. As if... Prompto’s friendship had some actual value to him.

The phone still blinked with the new message icon. Prompto furrowed his brows. Who the hell else had his phone number? Tapping the icon, his eyes widened. 

  _____________________________

6:48pm  ::|::Unknown Number::|::

Please pardon the unsolicited communication. However, I must implore you to message his Highness at your earliest convenience, even if only to state that you are cross with him. He has convinced himself that either you have been struck by a vehicle and lay hurt in some unknown corner of Insomnia-- or that you will never speak to him again due to some unintended offense. I have advised him that he is wildly overreacting and that you are most likely occupied, or perhaps even that your phone battery has simply died. However, it would ease his nerves-- and by proxy mine -- if you could find a moment to reply to him soon. You have my gratitude in advance.

~I.S.

_____________________________

By the end of the wall of text, Prom’s face was unbelievably warm. Ignis texted exactly how he spoke, and he couldn’t contain a giggle as he re-read the unexpected message, imagining the older teen’s proper Tenebraen accent. He scrolled back up through his thread with the prince, looking at some of the stupid memes Noct had sent earlier the night prior, then again at Noct’s worried messages throughout the day. 

It was a new feeling. This warmth that deadened some of his anxiety over the day’s events, and instead filled him with a giddy affection.  

______________________________

7:53pm  ::|::Prom::|::

hey Noct, just woke up, didn’t mean to leave you unread for so long!!

don’t be sorry (๑•́ω•̀๑) 

it honestly... was kinda a sucky ass day

super boring without you, buddy! 

______________________________

7:54pm  ::|::Noct::|::

（〃・・〃）

______________________________

7:54pm  ::|::Noct::|::

isn’t napping my job?

______________________________

7:55pm  ::|::Prom::|::

funny story...

so i sorta wiped out on the track in PE today ☆ミ(ノ_ _)ノ
had to go home early and everything 

so i was kinda beat

______________________________

7:55pm  ::|::Noct::|::

wth, you serious?! 

what happened?? 

you ok?

______________________________

7:56pm  ::|::Prom::|::

oh you know 

just me being a fukken spazz 

(｡◕ᴗ◕｡)v

______________________________

7:56pm  ::|::Noct::|::

Prom, if they sent you home, it had to be serious

______________________________

7:56pm  ::|::Prom::|::

well i guess cuz i hit my head, they took pity on me

______________________________

7:57pm  ::|::Noct::|::

hit your head??

and then you went to SLEEP???

______________________________

7:57pm  ::|::Prom::|::

ok, MOM.

in my defense, i didn’t mean to. it sorta just happened

______________________________

7:57pm  ::|::Noct::|::

you mean you PASSED OUT?!?!?!

______________________________

7:58pm  ::|::Prom::|::

no no!!

at least, i don’t think so...

i was just really tired and everything hurt and i was just resting my eyes....

next thing i know it’s dark out

now i’m super behind on my math homework

it’s stressing me out 

______________________________

7:59pm  ::|::Noct::|::

but you’re amazing at math. 

i’ve seen you do it in your head, without a calculator even 

why the stress?

______________________________

7:59pm  ::|::Prom::|::

that’s just it tho...

old man celsus thinks i’m cheating ( ･ั﹏･ั๑川

______________________________

7:59pm  ::|::Noct::|::

what in the actual FUCK???? 

WHY??

______________________________

8:00pm  ::|::Prom::|::

[[Prom is typing...]]

______________________________

Prompto stopped mid sentence, read what he wrote and deleted it all. With a shaky breath he started over.

______________________________

8:03pm  ::|::Prom::|::

[[Prom is typing...]]

______________________________

His single good hand was trembling badly, and he was getting tired of holding up the phone. He paused again, hitting the backspace several times until he could edit his message again. 

______________________________

8:07pm  ::|::Prom::|::

[[Prom is typing...]]

______________________________

Just as he was about to swipe the send button, his tired grip slipped and his phone hit him squarely in the face.

“ OW , fuck--” 

Pain blossomed in agonizing waves through his head. A rich combination of his never truly gone headache, his pain killers having slowly worn off, and the bruised side of his face protesting his jerking movements profusely. Slapping the offensive device away from where it landed, he squeezed his eyes shut against the wetness now threatening to spill over. What good would crying do him now?

But there was no one to see him breakdown here anyway... Nor anyone to offer a comforting word. So why was he bothering to fight so hard?

Prompto blinked, his cheeks dampening almost immediately as tears spilled free. He let them come finally, let his chest heave out the anxious pain he had restrained all morning, let the dread of handing in the assignment Prof. Celsus would surely deem incomplete take hold. The tight feeling of his chest squeezed the breath from his lungs for several long spaces between the sobs that wouldn't stop once he had set them loose from his throat.

KWEH!! KWEH!!

Prom nearly toppled out of his bed at the startling sound of the chocobo call he had set as his ringtone. He rarely had occasion to hear it. Picking it up revealed the picture of a stray black cat he had selected as Noctis’ contact photo staring back at him. The chocobo ‘kweh’ continued to sound off as he stared in disbelief. Sitting up in bed gingerly, the breath came easier to his exhausted lungs.  

Without thinking, he hit the accept button. 

“H-Hello?” Prompto winced as his voice cracked. 

“Prom--” Noct paused, abruptly falling into silence. As if whatever he had been planning to say was now void at the sound of Prompto’s obviously tearful greeting. 

Prom swallowed several times to try and clear his throat, rubbing at his wet cheeks as if dashing away the evidence would somehow steady his voice as he forced his usual cheer, “Hey, N-Noct! Everything ok? Y-You don’t usually c-call...” 

The wobble of his voice was still clear as day. He held his breath and bit his lip, fingers gripping his hair and pulling hard to distract himself from how hot his face felt as Noct remained silent on the other end. 

“Hey, no I’m fine. It’s just... You mentioned math, and number 42 is a mess . Thought we could work through it together since you always get the right answers... then maybe we could go over the others, you know to compare?” Noct’s voice was low and steady, like the gentle calm of a still pond. 

His breath hitched in place of an answer. 

“Oooor...” Noctis stretched out the word, thinking on the fly, “If maybe now’s a bad time-- Then maybe we could come in early tomorrow, and meet in the library. I’m finally cleared to come back tomorrow!  We can go over it in person. I could check your proofs for you before you have to turn them in. How's that sound?” 

“Did you just suggest--” Prom winced to himself as his voice cracked badly again, but he weathered on, “Getting up early ?” 

“Well, I mean-- Study hall being after Math class doesn’t really do us any good in this situation so... Look just because I don’t like getting up early doesn’t mean I can’t do it. I mean, I’ll still tell Iggy as back up, just in case. I have been known to turn off my alarm in my sleep sometimes.” 

“I b-bet,” Prompto sniffled, tried to take a deep breath only to end up hiccuping. His face reddened further, and he ground his teeth for a minute, searching for words, a quip, any response to end his humiliation--

“In fact, I’m kinda looking forward to seeing Spec’s eyes pop out of his head when I ask. I’ll have my camera ready. It’s going to be priceless. Payback for all the shit he gave me this past week. So godsdamn overbearing. He wouldn’t let me touch King’s Knight once before my make-up work was done for the day! Jokes on him, because Gladio and I always do a few rounds after training. Oh hey! Did I tell you I got to see my dad after all?” 

Noctis was not normally the talker between the pair of them, but somewhere he found the words and filled the silence so that Prompto wouldn’t have to break it. His voice rolled over Prom slowly like a balm, carrying him away from the edge of panic with a rare enthusiasm as he rambled about how he and his father spent nearly half a day pouring over a bait and tackle catalog, how many different kinds of lures they had, and what they were best for. From there jumping a memory of the last time he and his father were able to have a private fishing trip. 

Prom propped his phone on his shoulder, resting his uninjured cheek against it to keep it pinned there and smiled unseen as he listened to his friend speak freely in a way he’d never heard before. He felt privileged, and occasionally sniffled through a watery chuckle, until soon his breaths were even and his eyes were mostly dry, turning heavy from the emotional drain. 

Noctis seemed to pick up on his lethargy, winding down his last story before asking gently, “So, you cool with meeting an hour before homeroom?” 

Prompto swallowed, his voice finally steady though quiet and small, “You mean it?” 

He expected a joke, or some witty comeback. 

“Yeah, I wanna help.” Noct’s sincerity nearly made his eyes water once more. 

“Thanks, Noct,” Prom smiled again, chewing the corner of his lip, “Don’t forget to get a pic of Iggy’s reaction.”

Noctis laughed, “I’ll do you one better. I’ll take a vid.” 

An hour later Prompto’s phone dinged with a video clip in chat. Pressing play he saw Ignis at the sink of an unfamiliar kitchen, draining steaming water from some kind of pasta. Noct’s usual drawl came from behind the camera. 

“Hey Igs--” 

“Why are you recording?” Ignis asked suspiciously, green eyes flicking up over his glasses and past the camera to the prince behind it. Noctis continued on undaunted.

“I need to work on some math stuff with Prom in the morning. Could we get to school an hour early tomorrow?” 

The pot slipped from Ignis’ hands and the entire thing upended in the sink in a cacophony of metal clangs. Noctis’ laughter drowned out what sounded like Ignis actually cursing before the video cut off. 

Chapter Text

The morning came cold, foggy, and with a dampness that crawled its way into your bones. Prompto pulled the collar of his old coat higher to block out the chill that tried to creep into his layers. His breath fogged up the air as he yawned and rubbed at his good eye. He normally was up at this hour to take a run before school. Instead, he’d taken the earlier train to campus to meet Noctis as promised. 

His stomach pulled tight, an odd combination of hunger and nerves twisting his insides. It was too risky to eat something when he was like this, it would just give him embarrassment later when he’d not be able to keep it down or worse get the runs. So he skipped out on breakfast altogether, even his cruddy morning coffee. Another yawn split his face, the bruised side protesting slightly at the stretch as the school gate came into view through the morning fog. 

“Is that... Prompto?” A familiar tenor with a Tenebraen accent drifted through the fog, the uncertainty in the tone turning grave as it continued, “He’s limping .” 

Prompto rubbed his face tiredly as he got closer, blinking bleary eyes to try and find the source of the voice. 

“Wow, so you’re just gonna walk by me without even a welcome back, huh?” 

Prompto startled, he turned to stare wide-eyed at Noctis beside him. The prince was smiling, not one of his cold polite ones, or the smug half smirk that he used on their classmates, but a small genuine warm smile that quickly melted off his face and morphed into alarm. 

“What the fuck , Prom?? What the hell happened to you?” Noctis’ hands landed cautiously on his shoulders, his worried gaze fixed on the bruised side of Prom’s face. One of his hands reached up to hover near Prompto's bruised cheek, without actually making contact. 

“Uh--” Prompto floundered for a moment, face reddening at the prince’s proximity, but tried to laugh it off, “I picked a fight with the race track and lost remember?” 

“You told me you fell and hit your head, not your face!!” Noctis cried out, anxiety mixing with exasperation. "And Iggy's right, you are limping-- What the hell, Prom??" 

Taken aback by the intensity of the prince's emotion, Prompto could only gape silently.

“ Noctis , perhaps you should lower your voice,” Ignis cleared his throat, pushing up his glasses while his eyes flicked to either side of them.  

There was barely anyone around at this hour, save for a few grounds staff who were working closer to the school building. Prompto flushed, realizing he’d been so zoned out that he had not even noticed walking by Ignis’ presence, and nearly Noctis as well between the fog in the air and the one in his mind.  

“I’m so sorry Ignis, I totally didn’t mean to walk by you like that. Good morning,” even though the swelling made his smile a little lopsided, he tried to make up for it with his enthusiasm. 

The retainer blinked at him, brows knit together slightly as he studied the blonde’s face. Prom felt his smile starting to falter, but then Ignis spoke gently, returning a very small but sympathetic smile.

“Good morning, Prompto. That looks... rather painful. I do hope you’re cleared to be at school today?” 

“Oh-- I mean, it hurts but also... It’s not gonna hurt any less at home, so might as well be here, you know? And hey,” Prompto shrugged, turning to beam at Noctis, “You’re back!! So that more than makes up for it!” 

Noct’s face cycled through a complicated set of emotions so quickly Prom could barely decipher them, his deep blue eyes boring into Prompto’s face. It usually made him get nervous and look away, now Prompto just smiled at the prince. 

"I'm okay, Noct. Really. Just skinned knees and bruises. Stings like a bitch though," he shook his head chuckling with a shrug.

Brow still furrowed, Noctis struggled to find an answering smile, but managed to joke softly, “Try not to break your fall with your face next time, okay?” 

“Okay, wow. Super quality friendship skills there. Go back home if you’re gonna be like that,” Prompto laughed, bopping the prince playfully on the shoulder. 

“The absolute finest,” Noctis finally found his smile despite the tired concern still in his eyes, “And I literally just escaped that prison, how dare you suggest I go back there. C’mon, we got some math to conquer before I fall asleep standing up.” 

Noctis motioned to the entrance, starting towards it without even a glance back to the older teen silently witnessing their exchange without interruption. Prompto began to follow, then paused. Turning back to Ignis, his grip tightened on his bag nervously.

"Hey, Ignis?" Prompto began unsure. Their interactions so far had consisted of little more than simple greetings whenever the young retainer dropped off or picked up the prince. He wasn't sure if this was a line he shouldn't be crossing.

"Yes, Prompto? How can I be of service?" Ignis pushed up his glasses, and waited for his reply. 

"Um no... I don't need anything, I just wanted to thank you."

Ignis blinked down at him from where he leaned against the slick black car, "Pardon?"

"I'm sure Noct was super worried yesterday when I stopped answering. Thanks for reaching out to me to try to help with that. I'm sure you helped him with tons of other stuff while he was out with-- uh, you know..." Prompto trailed off, not sure if he should discuss the Prince's personal health aloud, but then found his stride again, smile brightening, "Plus, it probably wasn't easy to get him up on time to be here early today. So thank you, you're a great friend." 

Ignis stared at him completely silent, face unreadable. Prompto's confidence wavered the longer the silence stretched between them. Clearing his throat, he winked the eye that wasn’t swollen, and waved at the older teen as he backed up. 

“Well, gotta go! Have a good rest of your day, Ignis!” 

That seemed to break the ice finally. Pale brows rose slightly over the rim of designer glasses, and Ignis raised a hand to wave back, “You do the same, Prompto.... I do hope you recover quickly.”

“Thanks, Ignis. Okay bye!” Prompto squeaked awkwardly, turning to follow after Noctis. 

Only to find the prince standing still, bag over his shoulder as he leveled a cold stare at Ignis behind him. Without so much as a word, Noctis turned and headed towards the school building at a brisk pace. Prom looked between the two in confusion, but Ignis merely shook his head and opened the car door. Prompto took that as his cue to hobble after his friend, wondering aloud.

“Noct? What was that about?" Struggling to keep up with the prince’s quick stride, while Noctis glared silently in front of him, "Dude, you gotta slow down for me--” 

That caught the Noct’s attention, and he immediately eased his pace, looking over his shoulder worriedly and waiting until Prom caught up to him to match his limping steps, “You in a lot of pain still? Did you take anything?” 

Prompto was sure that this was as much an avoidance tactic as it was genuine worry. The warmth of Noctis' closeness felt nice though, so he let it slide.

"Yea, took some ibuprofen. Should be enough to get through the day. What about you? You've been gone for four whole days! You could've just waited and came back Monday, had the whole week off." 

"I've felt fine since Wednesday. Ignis was being a literal pain in my ass. Besides, I'm never really 'off'..." Noctis remained silent a moment, glancing around briefly. When he resumed his voice was low, carrying an undercurrent of frustration, "There's always something somebody wants to brief me on, some stupid event to endorse, or some brownnoser's company to endure. It's all posturing for power bullshit . I can't even do anything about anything yet. They're like damn vultures just waiting for my..."

Noctis cuts off abruptly, nostrils flaring. Concern creased Prompto's brow as he studied the prince's hunched shoulders, the subtle way his clenched fists shook at his sides, the tense line of his jaw, and how studiously Noct avoided making eye contact; waiting to be lectured... waiting to be judged , and found lacking. Prompto slowed to a stop, looking at Noctis with a sad clarity. Noct stopped beside him, finally looking over, a frown still marring his features. 

"That sounds awful ... Thanks for making time for me in the middle of all that," Prompto offered a shy half smile, leaning until he could bump their shoulders together. Noctis' frown slipped away into another one of those strange intense looks that Prom found hard to read.

"I told you," Noctis paused to let out a long yawn, stretching his arms up as he did so. When they came down, one landed easily around Prom's shoulders, and Noct's mouth curled up in a lazy smile, "You can count on me anytime."

Prompto remembered those same words spoken quietly on the school rooftop. Even though it tugged painfully on the swollen side of his face, he grinned wide and nodded even as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah... Let's get cracking on this math..."

“We could always just play hookie, and skip class altogether today. I’m sure we can milk our medical issues and get away with it, eh?”  

Gawking for a full minute, Prom finally recovered to lightly slap Noctis with his school bag. 

“Dude!! No skipping class!! Are you crazy?? We can’t get away with that!!”   

Noct pulls a face, and rubs his side in mock hurt, “Hey, we totally could , if you’re up for it. Also, I just got back. You trying to send me home again?” 

Prompto's steps faltered and he flailed beside the prince, “What?! Oh my gods, I’m so sorry--” 

“Wow-- relax , I’m 100% joking,” Noctis sighs, curling his arm back around Prompto's shoulders to calm his fretting. “Can’t believe you’re making me sit through History and Lit class... shit puts me to sleep.” 

“You are... not setting a very good example here, buddy.”

Noctis threw a rare grin his way, “Not even trying .” 

Shaking his head laughing, Prompto didn’t mind the weight of the prince’s arm around his shoulders as they made their way inside one bit. It made a satisfying warmth spread in his chest. But even that warmth couldn't chase away the lingering uneasy anticipation in his guts.

“You're not... gonna ask...?” Prompto trailed off when Noct’s penetrating gaze watched him carefully. When he could no longer bear it, Prompto looked away and chewed on his lip.

The feeling of Noctis’ gaze lingered on him for a long moment. 

“Do you actually wanna talk about it now?” Noct finally asked, still watching him although Prompto would not meet his eyes. 

“N-Not really... I wanna make sure we have time to get through these stupid math problems...” 

“Then, I won’t ask until later.” 

Prompto blinked, finally looking up at the boy walking beside him, but Noctis was now facing forward, expression not revealing anything at all.  

"I--" Prom faltered when Noctis glanced at him sidelong, "I might not want to talk about it later either..."

Noctis watched him in silence for a few steps. Eventually his eyes flicked forward, closing briefly as he sighed.

"That's fair."

Prompto chewed the corner of his lip, eyes tracing the damp pavement of the walkway and said nothing else as they made their way inside. The emptiness of the school hallways did not feel threatening with Noctis by his side. After a quick visit to their lockers, Noctis flashed him a grin as he led them to another door marked employees only and pressed the pin on his lapel against the doorpad. It flashed blue for a moment before unlocking, and Noctis tipped his head motioning Prom to follow. 

"Where we goin'??" Prompto whispered into the silent corridor. 

"A shortcut to the library. Why are you whispering?" He asked with a huff of humor.

"I dunno! You're taking me on a secret passage...that goes with whispering in the movies," Prompto insisted, making Noctis full on laugh. 

" Dork ."

Noctis paused at another door and flashed his pin again to unlock. When he pushed the door open, they stepped directly into the secluded corner of the library that they always used during study hall. 

"Are you freaking kidding me-- if I turn around and see a bookcase door behind me--" Prom turned and instead what he sees is one of the decorative alcoves complete with fancy sculpture slowly sealing away the hidden door behind him, "Close enough. Dude, not gonna lie. Kinda creeped out right now. I mean, in a horror movie this is clearly a set up for the serial killer to off us."

" Clearly ," Noctis says around a chuckle, "You need to lay off the horror movies. I see it the opposite. Why do you think I always bring us to this corner of the library? If there ever was a serial killer, we have a speedy getaway and they'll never see how we did it."

"Maybe you're the serial killer," Prom waved a finger at the prince. 

"Oh no, you've caught me," Noctis said deadpan, but he cracked a lopsided grin almost as soon as Prompto burst out laughing, "You remember we're still in a library right?"

Prompto frantically muffled himself, drawing a low chuckle from Noctis. As they took seats across from each other and pulled out their math books, Noct noticed the mirth faded from Prompto's demeanor. 

"So how far did you get last night? Want me to look at what you've done so far?" Noctis asked as he slouched in his chair. 

Handing over his notebook, Prom watched silently as the prince skimmed over his work and compared it to his own, nodding to himself on occasion. 

"What's the verdict?"

"Your answers are definitely all right, I got the same. These are all pretty clean, here--" he flipped the notebook upside, "Your answer is correct but this isn't the derivative you need."

Prompto pouted, scratching his head. Noctis pulled their text over and flipped to another problem.

"These two are really similar. Did you get to this one?"

"No but..." Prompto re-read the question, "The answer to that one is option B."

Noctis blinked then flipped to the answer key to find B labeled as the correct solution. He stared at Prompto with raised brows, "Shit, did you really just do that in your head right now?"

"Um, yeah?" Prompto shifted in his seat and tugged at his wristband.

"Shit, Prom," Noctis gawked at him, "You're like... Next level smart."

Prompto could feel his face growing hot at the praise even as he looked crestfallen at the math text, "Then why can't I put this on paper?"

"Is that why Celsus thinks you're cheating?" Noctis frowned. 

His stomach turned at the reminder, "I think so... He wants me to show my work. I get it. It's not a big deal."

"Have you always been able to just do math in your head?"

"Yeah. I just, I dunno," he shrugs, "I just get it. It's what got me into this school... So it'd be pretty fucking pathetic if I flunk out because of it now."

It's supposed to be a joke, but it falls flat between them and he doesn't have the energy to fake a laugh.

"Have you-- have you tried talking to the guidance counselor about this? I mean, obviously you're not cheating. Maybe you just need a different testing setup to work with how you do Math, you know?"

Prompto scrunched his face in thought, "In middle school... My math teacher was super nice. She used to give me a different test than everyone else, it was harder problems, and she'd write them on the board and have me solve them but like-- I was just talking her through the answers for each step. That, for some reason, worked better. I could never do the work myself on paper, but she also never got mad about it. I mean, kinda the opposite, she was always excited to review special material with me and see how far I could take it. I dunno..."

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how much Celsus really didn't care for him and his abilities, or lack thereof. He sunk down in his chair until he was nearly eye level with the table, and stared forlorn at the vaulted library ceiling.

"Math used to be fun," he mumbled quietly, rubbing his swollen eye carefully. 

"Hey," Noct tapped on the table top softly to get his attention. When Prompto dragged his gaze over, the prince looked determined. "It can be fun again. You got me now. We'll figure something out."

Prompto couldn't hang onto his frown if he tried. 

A nausea inducing hour later, Prompto thought that maybe he’d get a passing grade on his math assignment. Noctis had the patience of a saint with him, repeating himself over and over, and going through multiple examples with him step by step, for Prompto to still only be half able to apply it himself on paper. The prince even promised they could use their study hall to actually study and help Prompto practice for the next week’s exam, where he’d have to perform the proofs on his own without assistance. 

His stomach hurt, and yet gnawed at him with hunger. He sighed, rubbing his gassy belly uncomfortably, and shuffled towards his desk. Half their class was already in their seats, and while no one batted an eye at Prompto’s battered-looking presence, seeing Noctis walk in behind him caught nearly everyone’s attention in the room. 

"Oh, Prince Noctis!"

“Welcome back, Prince Noctis!” 

“Prince Noctis, nice to have you back!” 

Prompto could practically feel the annoyance radiating off the boy behind him.

“Morning,” The prince all but muttered. Prom noted the lack of ‘good’ in front of it.

“Oh Prince Noctis, so nice to see you return to us this morning,” Professor Annalis looked up from her desk, adjusting her glasses and smiling eagerly, “I assume your Highness received the brief on the project. Now of course we understand your royal duties made you absent for this first week of it, but I’m sure you’ll be able to pick right up wherever your desired group has left off. Feel free to join whichever one you like to continue this project. Alright?” 

Several excited whispers started up immediately, and some brave souls even dared to suggest themselves. 

“Prince Noctis, we have a spot for you here if you want. Join us!” 

“We could use one more, Prince Noctis, if you’d like to be with us?” 

Prompto ignored the melancholy weighing down the pit of his stomach and just continued toward his desk, head down, eyes on the ground. 

“Great,” Noctis drawled toward the professor, shifting a shoulder in the blonde’s direction, “I’m with Prompto then.” 

One girl wasn’t quite able to muffle her cry of dismay. Prof. Annalis for her part chuckled nervously, shuffling some papers on her desk. Prompto paused beside his desk and watched Noctis in slight disbelief.

“Oh no, your Highness,” Prof. Annalis insisted, “Really, you could choose any group--” 

"I've made my choice, Professor." The prince’s eyes were cold, his voice low and commanding.

Prof. Annalis nodded jittery, "O-Of course, very well."

There was nary a sound in the classroom as Noctis’ shoes clicked against the floor when he walked towards his customary seat behind Prompto. Prom’s own chair scraped loudly as he took his seat, still watching Noct with wide eyes. Several eyes were on him, he could feel them from the way his skin crawled. Prompto sunk into his seat, blushing hard, but Noct paused holding his fist out to bump his own before sitting down. The prince waited for him to turn around backwards in his chair to face him. He rubbed at his reddened cheeks self-consciously, setting his history text on Noct’s desk and flipping through the pages to have something to do with his fidgeting hands. 

"So who else are we stuck with?" Noct drawled, arms stretching back until he interlocked his fingers behind his head. 

“U-Um, actually,” Prom scratched at his nose, studying the book between them, "Just you and me."

"For real?" Something in Noct's tone made the blonde look up. The prince smirked. " Damn, I hit the jackpot. What figure did you pick then?"

He stared at Noctis, finding nothing but sincerity in his gaze. Huffing a pleased little noise, he couldn't stop a smile from taking over his face as he found the page he was looking for and pointed at an image of a bygone Oracle. 

"So, uh, I was thinking about this Oracle, and how she..." He completely missed the way Noct's smirk softened into something fond as he explained excitedly.

During Math class, Prom’s leg jiggled incessantly as he watched his classmates get called to the board one by one to calculate practice problems for the whole class to see. He thought at worst that Prof. Celsus might make them trade math assignments from last night to grade each other’s work. No, those were calmly collected at the beginning of the class before the old bat declared they would be taking turns practicing on the board. He swore Prof. Celsus was just targeting all his deepest anxieties without even trying.  

"Relax," Noctis whispered behind him as he squeezed Prompto’s shoulders briefly, "I can hear your stomach eating itself from here."

Prompto let out a shaky huff trying to pass it off as a laugh. Surprisingly strong fingers pressed against his shoulders again, massaging a little.  

“You’ll do fine. We just practiced this morning,” Noctis reminded him, voice low over his shoulder. 

He wished he could absorb Noctis’ confidence. Prompto sighed and leaned back into the soothing motions, mocking himself cheerily, “I’m pretty sure I retained exactly zero percent of that, hehe...” 

“We’ll just have to keep practicing then,” there was no hesitation in Noct’s voice. 

Prom shifted around and raised an incredulous brow, “In the morning ?” 

Noct’s expression tightened, and he pulled at his tie, “Err, maybe we could move to after school study sessions? I really can’t promise to always be able to get up as early as today...” 

He stared at Noctis quietly for a moment, “You serious?” 

“ Argentum .” 

Prom’s shoulders hiked up to his ears as Professor Celsus addressed him with clear annoyance.

“Since you have so much to say, you can do the next problem. Number 23, please.” 

Prompto felt his stomach turn to ice immediately. He had counted the example problems in their text and practiced the one he should have gotten by his turn. Now, he was going to have to do one blind. 

“Y-Yes, sir.” 

Picking up his text, he gulped at it as the numbers seemed to blur. 

“Hey,” Noctis said softly, commanding Prom’s attention away from the threatening numbers. The prince gave him a lopsided grin, “You got this.” 

Prom’s mouth twitched into a tremulous smile, and he shuffled towards the board as if he were walking towards his execution. Fixated on keeping his mind from panicking, he did not catch the slide of a foot into his path until it was too late. Laughter filled the classroom as his book went flying and he nearly face-checked the floor for the second time that week. 

Quick reflexes saved him from completely eating it, but pain flashed hot and white through his sprained wrist as he caught himself at the last moment. Prompto hissed and held his wrist tightly to his chest. His knees burned under the bandages he had applied that morning, the ooze of torn scabs a gross visceral sensation that made him somewhat queasy. The screech of a chair pushing back cut through the din of snickers, as footsteps hurried his way. A familiar weight settled across his shoulders, as Noctis gripped his shoulder and wrapped his hand around his unguarded arm to help him back to his feet.

“Settle down, all of you,” Prof Celsus called out over the room waving his hands. 

“Prom! You alright?” Noctis looked him over briefly, but then turned to glare sharply at a smug looking Lucretius sitting at the head of their row. 

“ Peachy ,” Prompto couldn’t help the embarrassed sarcasm as he straightened his jacket, then added more sincerely, “Thanks, Noct. Where’d my book go?”

“I’ll get it,” Noctis offered immediately, spotting where it landed nearly across the room. 

“You may borrow mine if you like?” 

They both blinked at the girl sitting in the front row nearest to them, holding out her textbook towards Prompto. She smiled primly, motioning the book towards him when he continued to hesitate. 

“T-Thanks, Dulcia,” Prom stuttered, taking the text with a little nod of gratitude. Her eyes crinkled in a smile when he used her name, as if not surprised he knew it. 

“Of course,” she replied politely, flipping long silky black strands over her shoulder. Looking over briefly at Noctis, Dulcia bowed her head respectfully to the prince before returning her gaze to Prompto and reminding helpfully, “Number 23.” 

“R-Right,” Prom shifted stiffly and approached the board. 

The fall was meant to humiliate him, and while that aim was achieved, it also took the wind out of his initial fear of messing up at the board. The class had already had their laugh at him, what was a little more at this point? It had the strangest calming effect as he glided the chalk across the board, his mind blissfully blank of the stress being watched usually brought on. He focused on the numbers and quickly worked out the solution, writing it near the bottom of the board. Noctis’ tips from that morning replayed in his thoughts as he slowly calculated his proof backwards from the solution he had already written. A minute later he stepped away from the board, and blinked at the completed problem as if unsure how he managed to put it there. 

“Correct, Argentum.” 

Prompto dared smile at the professor. The old man narrowed his eyes. 

“Although, it does not help the class to see the proof written out backwards. Please make sure you are completing the steps in the proper order next time.” 

His smile faded and stomach tightened at the thought of a ‘next time.’

“What’s it matter what order it’s written, if the proof is accurate?” Noctis’ voice travelled across the room from where he had retaken his seat in the back. Several pairs of eyes looked between the prince and the professor. 

Celsus faltered at the prince’s question, clearing his throat and adjusting his glasses, “Yes well... let’s have the next example, shall we? Prince Noctis, if you would be so kind.” 

Prompto kept his eyes down as he passed by Prof. Celsus, but paused with a smile at Dulcia’s desk and returned her textbook. 

“Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome, Prompto,” she replied, looking up at him over the rim of her sleek frameless glasses. He startled as he almost dropped the book at hearing his name on her lips, but she just laughed quietly and deftly caught it before it could fall. 

Dumbfounded, Prom hurried back to his desk, rubbing at his surely reddening face. This time he was careful to watch where he was going, throwing a small glare at Lucretius as he passed him. The redhead smirked at him confidently, daring him to say anything. Prompto knew better and just rolled his eyes. 

His book lay neatly back on his desk, thanks to Noctis no doubt. He looked up as the prince passed him on his way to the board, holding up a hand for a quick high five. Prom smiled as their palms touched warmly. 

“Nice work,” Noctis winked at him. 

“Thanks buddy,” Prom grinned, unable to stop smiling even after he took his seat. 

By the time their Literature class was well underway, Noctis had fallen asleep behind him. Prompto could tell by the way his breaths were soft and even behind the book the prince had propped up as a cover. Their professor was just old and blind enough that even with his thick spectacles he wore, the man had yet to notice. Although Prompto wondered if any of the faculty would even dare to actually reprimand Noctis for sleeping in class. Their classmates however...

Prom caught sight of one boy pointing and cupping his hand to whisper to a girl beside him, who looked over and covered her mouth to giggle. When she caught Prompto’s glare in her direction, however, she quickly looked away. The boy merely rolled his eyes at Prompto’s attempt at intimidation and turned back to his text. 

“Alright, Percivax, go ahead with the next three paragraphs,” Prof. Mendacium called out, and Lucretius stood at the head of their row to begin his turn reading aloud from the book they were analyzing this week. 

Only a few more kids, and then it would be Prompto’s turn, followed by Noctis who was still soundly asleep . While the Prince did tend to doze, he wasn’t usually so out of it unless it was a quiet self-study time. Prompto thought guiltily of how late he kept Noctis up last night while having his stupid freakout. Then how much earlier the prince arrived at school this morning to help him, when likely he was still recovering from his flare up.

A few more classmates pointed their way, whispering and snickering quietly. Prompto felt his ears go red from second-hand indignation as he realized they were waiting . Waiting to enjoy what would surely be an embarrassing moment for Noctis. 

Fuck them. 

“Argentum, the next two paragraphs please.” 

By the time Prof Mendacium called for his turn, Prompto had counted the paragraphs on the page, marking where he should end. He dragged his chair back with as much force as possible, bumping it into Noct’s desk behind him as he stood. The prince’s book clattered to the ground. 

“Whoops! Sorry, Noctis--” Prompto watched his friend sit back, blinking awake, and looking at him blearily, then at the book that fell. Before the prince could make another move he handed his own marked book over, “Here take mine, I’ll get that. Clumsy me!! So sorry!” 

Noctis took his book with a sleepy blink, eyes travelling down the page until they no doubt reached the words ‘ start here, buddy! (o^-')b’ that he had scribbled in the margin. Prom picked up the prince’s book from the floor and flipped back to the correct page. 

Professor Mendacium sighed, “Today, Argentum.” 

“Yessir, sorry!!” 

For once, Prompto felt relieved at the snickering directed his way, content at least in keeping them from being directed at his friend. He cleared his throat and began his reading, stuttering only once before his turn was over a few paragraphs later. By that time,  Noctis was fully awake and aware of what would be expected of him when the professor called him to read. 

“Your Highness, if it would so please you, the next three paragraphs are yours.” 

Noctis stood, Prom’s borrowed book in hand and began smoothly right where Prompto had left off, his voice low but clearly projecting across the room. More than one of their classmates stared a little dreamily at him, even one of those that had previously been looking forward to the Prince making a fool of himself. Prompto fumed silently at their hypocrisy. 

“Excellent, your Highness. Class take note, that is how you orate for a group. Please try to match the example of Prince Noctis. Alright, Miss Fallax, please continue the next two paragraphs.” 

Noctis took his seat silently, waiting until Dulcia stood and began her part before tapping Prompto’s shoulder. Prom turned to see Noct motioning to trade their books back. As he handed Noctis back his own, the prince tapped the paper silently, looking pointedly at the page open on Prompto’s returned book with a half smile. 

Prom glanced at the page, finding a note added under his own. 

‘Life saver!! （；￣︶￣） ’

Turning in his seat once more, Prompto grinned at Noctis with a thumbs up. He decided the way his stomach fluttered when Noct’s smile widened warmly was only because he was so hungry.

Noctis had fallen asleep again, head resting on Prom’s shoulder, half eaten lunch bowl perched precariously on his knee. The warmth from the prince’s body kept Prompto from shivering despite the cold concrete they sat on. 

Lunchtime found them on the roof together for the first time in nearly a week. The cold autumn air made each passing day of their rooftop breaks just a little bit harder to bear. He wasn’t sure where they would go once winter fully settled over Insomnia. The thought of losing the private little space where their friendship had blossomed and strengthened twisted his heart with melancholy. 

All Prompto had brought was some two-day old rice, as he was still short on groceries. But upon realizing the austerity of his meal, Noct insisted on sharing his own. Enthusiastically donating all of his vegetables into Prom’s plain bowl, Noctis even gave him several strips of meat, an incredible homemade stir fry dish with the most delectable sweet yet spicy sauce Prompto had ever had the pleasure of tasting. 

He was scraping the bottom of his bowl clean when the prince finally stirred with a sigh, "Nghh... What time is it? Shit, sorry for sleeping on you like that..."

"Hey, I don't mind being your pillow for a bit. You kinda looked like you needed it. Feeling better?" Prom said around his last mouthful.

Noct looked at him carefully, eyes narrowing before he clicked his tongue in defeat and admitted, “Yeah... I am. Dammit, I thought I was hiding it so well..."

“Oh you have been, but,” Prompto shrugged, packing away his things as he spoke, “I think, it’s more like... I’m noticing things I hadn’t ever thought about before. Like, when you get all squirmy in your seat... That’s 'cause your back’s bothering you isn’t it?”   

Noctis pursed his lips and clicked his tongue again, pulling up a knee and wrapping his arm around it, “You sound like Iggy. I’m fine though. It’s just a normal level of bother. Not like the other day.” 

Prompto studied the suddenly sullen boy, “Hey, I trust you. If you say you’re fine, I believe you.”

That penetrating stare was back. Prompto wondered if Noctis even realized he did that, or what kind of effect that had on the people he pinned with it.

“That means a lot,” Noct finally said, mouth easing out of it’s frown. 

Prompto smiled easily in response, but hissed as he shifted to straighten his legs out. 

"You sure you're okay?" Noct asked, watching him with knit brows. 

"Huh?" Prom blinked. Noctis twisted his lips and pointed at where he was running his hand gingerly over his knee.

 "OH! Yeah, yeah. Just...I left a chunk of my knees on the track. Elbow too. Scabs keep reopening cuz you know, knees are bendy. Also this morning didn’t help. S'a pain in the...well, knee ," he ended with a chuckle. 

"Did you at least go see the nurse?"

"Well, yeah. Coach Aecus didn’t really give me a choice. But all she could do was just clean them up and slap bandages on. It’s not like there’s a way to magically regrow the skin on your knees right?”

Noctis looked at him blankly, “Yeah there is.”

Prompto stared, "What?"

Noctis stared right back, " What what?"

“I’m sorry, what? ” Prom replied incredulously, shaking his head.

“There is!” Noctis insisted, then faltered slightly, “I’m... probably not supposed to talk about it to civilians... I dunno, it must not be as common as I thought.” 

"You're gonna tell me there's something that regrows human flesh and then just.... Leave me hanging?"

"Gods! It sounds disgusting when you say it like that!"

"Noct! Quit stalling," Prom gives him a nudge with his shoulder, "Is it secret royal magic stuff? Or are we talking about something like potions? You know those aren't exactly a secret right?"

Noctis pushed him away with a huff, then brought his forgotten lunch bowl to his face, mumbling, "I don't know that, nobody tells me anything... I thought-- forget it..."

"Hey," Prompto spoke softly, nudging him again, "Don't get like that, I was teasing. Besides you got me now. I'll tell you all the commoner stuff your pampered little brain can handle whenever you want!"

The blonde snorted another laugh as Noctis glared and shoved him away.

"Oww!" Prom whined through a fit of giggles,  "Watch it, I'm tender! The school nurse doesn't just stock potions to give away to plebes, you know."

"You don't need the nurse." 

Noctis furrowed his brow in concentration, and blue light manifested over his hand reflecting like shards of broken glass. Suddenly a large glass vial of slightly glowing green liquid appeared in his hand. 

"Holy Shiva!!" Prompto gasped in surprise, blinking wide eyes at the vial and then at Noctis. The prince was breathing heavily as if he had just run up some stairs, a bead of sweat at his temple, "Are you alright? What... Are you doing?"

"Making sure you don't sprain something worse than you already have. If you're in this much pain, you took a bad fall. You were having a hard time taking notes all day. And in Math class, you were favoring your hand after you fell. You landed badly on your wrist yesterday, didn't you?"

"What--" Prompto stared wide eyed, fingers curling automatically around his ever present wristband. "How'd you know?"

"I know what moving in pain looks like... Feels like. Plus," Noct hunched down a bit over his bowl, suddenly seeming almost...shy? "Plus combat training, I know how to recognize weaknesses in people's movement."

"Woah, you train for combat? Like actual fighting?"

Noctis only nodded, picking a single surviving vegetable away from the remaining meat in his lunch bowl. Prom held out his bowl wordlessly, and Noct flicked his eyes up at his knowing grin before pushing the offending legume over to his bowl. The rice he tolerated, taking a mouthful of it along with a piece of glazed daggerquill. He didn't look up. Prom studied him for a silent moment.

"Is that why you don't participate in P.E. hardly ever? You already do it at home?"

Noctis looked up surprised at that, food halfway to his mouth. He took the bite, and settled on nodding, talking around his mouthful.

"Yeah, it's too much strain, if I did it here and also my training at home. It's getting easier though... Maybe later this year..." Prom watched him shrug, before he looked up through his bangs, gaze serious. "You could really mess yourself up if you don't take care after a fall like that, especially if you already need support around your wrist."

Prom resisted the urge to tighten his fingers nervously around his hidden wrist, "Hey, no worries. My trusty wristband will do the job."

"Might need something stronger," Noct said around another mouthful, motioning towards his wrist, then the glass vial set between them, "A potion."

"Are you even supposed to be giving this to me?"

"No," Noct answered nonchalantly, as if he hadn't broken probably three dozen rules in doing this.

"Noct.... I shouldn't take this then. Look, if it keeps hurting, promise I’ll look into like a brace or something. I really don't think it's that bad."

"I could take notes for you?" Noct offered.

"Noct," Prompto grinned in amusement. "You sleep through half of our classes..."

Noctis choked on his food, "I--  Not every day!"

He laughed openly, and thought better of thumping Noct’s back at the last second, remembering with morbid detail his friend’s face in pain the week prior. Instead, he settled for rubbing his back lightly as the prince coughed up rice.

"I never even see you taking notes. For all I know, you have chicken scratch for handwriting."

Noctis cleared his throat and pouted, giving him a slight shove at the shoulder, "Hey my penmanship is perfect . I write letters all the time."

"I'll believe it when I see this illustrious penmanship,” Prom stuck out his tongue.

Noctis rolls his eyes and picks at his leftover rice for a moment.

"If you don't want it now, then maybe it'll be useful later. Just take it with you--"

"Noct, i don't want to get you in trouble if--"

"It'll make me feel better knowing you have the option to take it. Please?" Noctis pinned him with another of his intense stares. 

Prompto felt his face warm under that gaze, "Alright, fine. If it'll make you feel better, I guess..."

He picked up the potion and carefully tucked it into a padded corner of his school bag. Playing with the latch on his bag in silence for a minute, he gathered the courage to look up at his friend. Noctis was staring at him again, silent and serious, a crease between his brows. 

“What is it?” Prom asked, knowing what was coming. 

“Did someone jump you, Prompto?” 

Noctis rarely used his full name anymore. He swallowed nervously.  

“No! No, of course not. I fell.” 

“You fell,” Noctis raised both brows slowly, stare intensifying. It made Prompto feel like his soul was being read.

“Yes.” 

“Prom,” Noctis breathed in slow and measured, one hand on each knee, grip tight, “Why won’t you tell me what really happened?”

“B-Because, there’s nothing to tell. I just fell on the track,” it sounded like a whine even to his own ears. 

“If I guess, will you tell me?” That unwavering gaze bored into his soul. 

“Noct--” A knot formed in his stomach painfully. 

“Was it Lucretius?” 

He looked away and tugged at his sleeves, “Noctis, I fell okay? Nothing else to it--” 

“Why are you lying to me, Prom?” 

“I’m-- I’m not ,” Prompto winced as he stuttered again, breath quickening.

“Prom,” Noctis pinched the bridge of his nose, taking another calming breath, “If someone was giving me a hard time, would you just stand by and let it happen?” 

“ No! Of course not!” Prompto responded emphatically without any hesitation. 

“Then why won’t you let me do the same for you? Why won’t you let me help ?” 

The quickening breath in his chest began to hitch, and he shook his head, “I-It’s not the same.” 

“Why not?” Noctis growled, frustration finally bubbling forth. 

“B-Because!” He paused when his voice cracked. Chewing his lip in punishment, he took a deep breath, “Because you’re the prince, Noct.... I know you like that we can forget about it when we’re hanging out. But it’s still reality, and this is part of that.” 

“Prom--” Noctis looked like he had been gut-punched. He didn’t elaborate further, eyes flickering over Prompto’s bruised and swollen face. “It-- It doesn’t have to be. It shouldn’t be--”

“ Noct ,” Prom said, a weak humorless laugh escaping his throat as he furrowed his brows and shook his head, “Please, just drop it? Please?” 

When he looked up, deep blue eyes dark as a starless night stared at him unflinching. Noctis fists were curled on his knees. 

“For now...” He finally spoke. The bell rang, and he grabbed his bag standing up and gave Prompto a hand up as well even as he glared at the concrete rooftop. “C’mon, we’ll be late.” 

There was tension between them now that Prompto just couldn’t allow to sit as they made their way back to their classroom.

 "Hey," Prom said, ducking to catch Noct’s gaze again.  

The prince blinked sullenly at him.

"It’s been nice to have you back today," Prom smiled wide and sincere. 

Noct’s face softened, "We talked everyday."

Prom shook his head with a grin, "Not the same, buddy."

He counted Noctis’ answering smile as a win. 

The train ride was as crowded and bumpy as usual. All his skinned joints stung, his wrist burned with pain, and he could feel the throb of his pulse in the bruised skin of his face. Despite the discomfort, it had been a pretty good day with the return of Noct’s company. 

As he parted ways with Noctis at the school gate, Prom was more than a little surprised to be stopped by Ignis. The older teen handed him a carefully wrapped but fragrant package of teas. To help with his recovery, Ignis had said, explaining he had included brewing instructions and some suggested uses for each kind. His profuse gratitude won him a smile from the older teen, soft and unguarded for the first time that Prompto could remember in his months of seeing the young man as he collected Noctis everyday from school. He pressed the package close to his face now, inhaling the sweet and earthy mix of scents. 

The intercom dinged and his stop was called out. Shuffling off the train, he limped his way home through the bustle of his neighborhood. Once his homework was complete, and he was dressed down in his pajamas, fresh bandages applied to his skin, with a warm earthy team brewed according to Ignis’ precise instructions, Prompto sat down at his desk and pulled out a sheet of clean paper. 

It had been a while since he had written any sort of update. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Lady Lunafreya, 

It’s been a minute. Remember how I said Noct had a really bad day with his back a while ago? He was gone for a whole week almost!! But he came back today and it was awesome . But something’s been bothering me. 

So I know you asked me to stick by his side, and I have! But, I thought it was going to be this impossible thing... to become his friend. I was so SO wrong. 

I thought it was only going to be this totally one-sided thing. And I would have been totally okay with that! Because I’m a man of my word! Besides, I mean-- what the hell do I have to offer a prince, am I right?  I didn’t expect    I didn’t think that   I guess, I wasn’t prepared for Noctis to want to be my friend back . He’s a really good friend. The kind that has your back, and is there when it counts. 

Don’t get me wrong! I’m not complaining! It’s just that now it makes me question. 

Am I doing this for you? For him? Or for my own selfishness? 

I made a promise, I know. And I want to keep it. I know what Noctis brings to the table... but what the hell can a plebe like me do for him when it really counts? I just don’t want my only contributions to be more burdens for him to deal with. He’s got enough on his plate. I’m happy whenever I can get his mind off things for even a little while. I don’t want to add to the reasons he gets that sulky look on his face. 

He asked me about Lucretius today. 

And maybe it is selfish. But it felt good for someone, anyone, to  fucking   notice . It felt good that he cared. 

I dunno where the  fuck  I’m going with this letter anymore. I guess I really just wanted to thank you, Lady Lunafreya. 

Thank you for asking me to be there for Noctis. I know you meant only to help him. But you’ve also kinda helped me~ ♡

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prompto pushed his glasses up and rubbed his eyes with a sigh. Leaning back in his chair, he winced at the ache in his wrist as he neatly folded the paper. Padding over to his dresser and opening the top drawer, he added the paper to his collection of unsent letters before shutting the drawer. He crawled into bed, lulled to sleep by the silent solitude of his dark apartment and the sounds of the street traffic below.