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Noctis was one month into his first year of high school, one month into his friendship with Prompto, and headlong into a crush on that very same best friend. He sat behind the blond in first period Social Studies on a Tuesday, bored out of his mind. Ms. Trepe was talking and Noct wasn’t paying any attention. His head rested on his arms and he studied the back of Prompto’s neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of the freckles he knew were back there.
“While I’d like to believe my students are naturally inclusive, sometimes it is necessary to encourage friendship.” Ms. Trepe explained. “In this spirit, we will have a fun gift exchange. You will be assigned a classmate at random to gift a small token. Absolutely nothing that costs over 10 gil, please. The idea is to open the door, not barrel in. And everyone comes from different financial backgrounds.” She looked at Noctis when she said this. Or was it Prompto?
“Please don’t tell anyone your recipient’s name. It should be a surprise. Don’t buy anything inappropriate. Just a small item given with good will. We will do the exchange followed by a chat session on Friday morning. You will have your first two periods free to socialize. It is my wish for you to intermingle. I’d like to ensure that everyone here has at least one safe person to talk to, peer-to-peer. The selection is random. You will be designated a giftee tomorrow. No changes or trades. You get who you get.”
Fucking great. Noctis knew how this would go. This kind of thing never went well for the prince. People would want to give something to him, because a gift given to the prince meant he owed something back. A royal favor. They’d want to befriend his title and station, not Noct the person. And whoever he’d be assigned to give to probably wouldn’t like getting a cheap present from the Prince of Lucis. If he gave them something under 10 gil, it would be seen as an insult even if it was the required limit. If he spent more money, then it looked like he was throwing privilege around or showing favoritism. This was a bad idea all around. He’d need to ask Ignis to get him out of it.
The bell chimed signaling the end of class. Noct couldn’t wait to complain to Prompto about this whole stupid gift thing. Prompto gathered up his laptop and backpack and beamed at Noct with his most endearing smile. “This is gonna be so fun!”
Huh? Noct raised his eyebrows. “What is?” Smooth, Noct.
“The gift exchange! 10 gil fits right into my budget, ya know! I like that it’s fair for everyone. And safe spaces, that’s really nice. I wish we’d had something like this back when, ah, never mind. You never know, maybe I’ll get you, buddy!” Prompto slapped him on the back.
Noct only nodded. He didn’t manage a reply. His brain was slow in the mornings and he needed a minute to consider their differing viewpoints. They parted ways for their next classes. Prompto had art and Noct had an ancient Solheim language lesson.
Prompto was excited about this? Yeah, okay, that tracked. Expensive things were out of his reach. His parents paid for basic needs and school supplies, but extras like arcade visits and gifts for friends would definitely come out of Prompto’s earnings from his part-time job at the camera shop. Being a safe person for someone who needed a friend was right up Prompto’s alley. He was that guy for the prince. He was that guy for the stray animals of Insomnia.
So, alright. Noct couldn’t pull out of this dumb event. He might do something about that whole ‘random’ assignment, though. He was not above using royal privileges once in a while.
Later that day, Prompto entertained Noct during lunch chatting about cats and dogs he spotted on his morning run, showing off pictures, reading him reviews for the latest game releases, and being cute. Noct was a deer in the headlights. Why was Prompto so cute? Nobody had a right to be this cute. He had to give this boy a gift.
Back home in his apartment after school, the prince was supposed to be doing homework, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Prompto. He just wanted his friend to come over and stay. Could he stay forever? Yeah, Noct had it bad. He didn’t expect anything to happen between them, really. He wished for it, but he’d be happy to be around Prompto all day. To hear him get excited over something small, to hear his sweet laugh. Being near Prompto felt like basking in the warmth of the sun. Comfort and no stress. It would be more than enough if Noct could only increase his Prompto time.
Ignis was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Gladio lounged on Noct’s couch reading, because what else did Gladio even do in his off hours? Lift heavy things and give the prince a hard time, that’s what.
“Iggy, there’s this stupid present exchange thing at school. S’posed to encourage making friends and shit.”
“Something Charmless doesn’t know anything about.”
“Not talking to you. Anyway, Iggy, we gotta buy something small for it, so can we go to the store tomorrow? The thing’s on Friday.”
Ignis replied from the kitchen, ignoring the usual bickering between Shield and Prince. “How does this exchange work? Shall I pick something up for you?”
“I don’t know who I buy for yet. Could be anyone in class. Won’t know til tomorrow. We’re supposed to make friends with our gift buddies. There’s a limit on spending, too. 10 gil or less. So we have to go to the gil store.”
“Yes, we can shop tomorrow.”
Gladio smirked at Noct. The prince glared him down and continued talking to Ignis, his polite and calm and actually helpful retainer. “Cool. Thanks Ignis, but that’s not all.”
The Shield put his book down. “I knew there was more to this. You used the royal-brat-wants-something voice.”
“Gladio!” Noct threw a couch cushion, which the larger man easily caught and tucked behind his neck. Noct wondered if Royal Shields could be fired. “Specs, I need a favor.”
“A favor? Though I do think of us as friends, it is my duty to see to your needs. Unless, Highness, you are about to ask me to bend a rule or get you out of trouble. I am curious. What is your wish?” His tone was suspicious.
“I need you to rig the exchange.”
“Pfffffft.” With that, Noct lobbed another pillow at the Shield.
“Cheating is not becoming of a royal, Noctis. It is also not like you at all.”
“You don’t understand, Ignis.”
Gladio weighed in again, because of course stupid Gladio had to weigh in. “Thought you went to a public school to be treated like a regular guy, Princess. Now you want to pull rank? Not exactly fair.”
“Nooooo,” Noct continued, sounding far whinier than he meant to. “You reaaallly don’t understand. I need to give my gift to Prompto, and for Prompto to give his to me.”
Gladio put a hand on his hip and made his disappointment face. Noct saw that one a lot in training. “Oh, this is to impress your crush? That’s even worse.”
“Gladio, just shut it a minute. Let me explain. You know how this goes. Someone gets my name. They’ll go waaay over the gil amount just because it’s me, trying to impress the prince. Then I give a gift. It’ll be a gil store piece of shit. From the prince. Who can clearly afford more. No one will care that it’s the rules, they’ll bitch about it. Then they’ll start in on my dad.
The only person who’ll be happy getting a gil store piece of shit from me is Prompto. Because he’s the only person who doesn’t care about titles. He’s the only person who treats me like I am a regular guy. He doesn’t expect anything. He’s not like that. Anyone else I get in this exchange is going to use it to become my fake ass friend. To have an in with royalty.
So it’s got to be - I give to Prompto, he gives to me. And I completely do not fucking care what he gives me, I just want to hang out with him.”
Ignis sighed and pursed his lips. Apparently Noct’s speech had been persuasive because his advisor agreed. “Alright. I will speak to the organizer of this event. I expect something in return, however.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Gladio, what do you have to do with this?”
“I just witnessed government corruption. I’m blackmailing you now. We’re doing extra training this week.”
“Can I fire my Shield, Iggy?”
“Noctis,” Ignis’s powers of ignoring Gladio and Noctis had been finely honed over the years. “I will argue that normally a prince cannot be seen accepting or giving gifts, much the same as you don’t give out Valentines, as it affects the delicate high school microcosm. However, your established friendship with Prompto does not disrupt the social balance, so you may participate in a limited fashion. I refuse to call this ‘rigging.’ It is a political adjustment. I will make sure Prompto is at both ends of the gift-giving extravaganza.”
“Yeah, he’d like Prompto at both ends, alright.”
Noct threw the last cushion left on the couch, which was a bad idea, as he had no more pillows to sit back on. Ignis continued, pretending the prince was not slumped uncomfortably over a hard-backed, cushionless couch, pouting. “We’ll find something nice for your friend.”
“Thanks, Iggy. And… what’s this gonna cost me?”
Ignis smiled like a hungry predator. “As you know, the contingent from Galahd is here to discuss border laws and trade. Many Galahdans feel Lucis abandoned them to the Empire’s raids during the war. Things have improved, but all is not forgiven. This is a complicated matter. Your father did not think you were ready to handle it. I will persuade him that it is to your advantage to attend a few of these talks. Additionally, I would like you to prepare an analysis of the situation by Friday.”
Dammit. That would cut into the King’s Knight update. “Okay, fine.” This was so he could see Prompto more. That was better than King’s Knight.
The next day at school, Prompto ran into class as the final bell chimed, barely arriving on time. He was wearing glasses! The dark frames contrasted nicely with his pale skin and golden hair. Prompto’s pretty violet eyes sparkled behind the lenses. The prince’s heart fluttered.
Prompto noticed him looking. “What?” Had Noct been staring?
“Whoa, I forgot you wear glasses.”
The blond blushed. It was adorable. A peachy-red flush with a smattering of freckles. Was it hot today? Noct felt warm.
“Yeah. Forgot to set my alarm. No time to put contacts in. I coulda brought them and popped ‘em in at break, but I forgot the case, so it’s glasses aaaall day.”
Noct was not bothered by that. Not at all. Prompto looked great in glasses, but he seemed shy about them. Noctis wanted to boost his confidence, like Prompto always did for him.
“No biggie. Long as you’re here.” Noct smiled softly at his best friend. Okay, a little understated, but at least he hadn’t said the wrong thing.
Prompto smiled back, and wasn’t that worth a million gil. He turned around as the class lecture began. Noct settled in for more freckle-spotting, and then, a nap.
At the end of the school day, the names of the giftees were distributed. There was a QR code and everything. Very stupid. But Noct scanned his and there it was: Prompto Argentum
Iggy had done it. He’d have to thank him, even if it meant doing extra prince shit.
Prompto held his hand over his screen, hiding it from view. He peeked, looked around, then peeked again. He was smiling, so hopefully things worked out and he’d gotten the prince. Noct couldn’t let on that he’d ‘arranged’ it with Ignis.
“Got your person all set?”
“That I do, man. Now I just gotta find a good gift. I’m working this afternoon, so I’ll see ya tomorrow!”
“Later, Prom!”
Ignis picked Noct up at the entrance of the school. Gladio was in the front seat. Noct hopped in with a mumbled “Hey.” He stripped off his school jacket, tie, and button-up and pulled on a plain t-shirt. He slung a black baseball cap over his dark hair. This was the ‘normal teen’ outfit that allowed him to go out and avoid getting recognized and photographed.
When they got to the gil store, Gladio did a quick security sweep and deemed it safe. Each man headed off to a different aisle. Gladio went to the craft section to get supplies for Iris, then spent a strangely long amount of time in the artificial flower department. Ignis loaded up a basket with baker’s twine and brown paper food wrap. Noct raised an eyebrow at the watermelon-sized roll of red-and-white striped string. Ignis rolled his eyes. “I like to gift baked items, and this is a bargain, Noctis.”
Noct walked up and down every aisle, unsure what to get. There were a lot of art materials to choose from. Colored paper and pencils, paints and markers. An option, he thought. Prompto was artistic but more heavily into photography. Noctis knew approximately nothing about taking pictures. Maybe one day he’d buy a special camera for Prompto. However, they’d only been friends for a month and even Noctis knew it was too soon for lavish gifts.
Technically, though, they’d known each other as young boys but hadn’t struck up a friendship. Which sucked. They’d missed so much time. Noctis could be showering him with gifts by now if things had been different. No changing the past, Noct thought. Just find something nice.
Noct saw a display with hair accessories next. Prompto had cool hair. Maybe a hairbrush with an anime character on it? Eh, maybe not. Noct was terrible at this. What would Ignis suggest? Probably school supplies. Big no. Gladio’s help? Ha. The Shield would find it hilarious to pick a gag gift, like the dick-shaped gummy candies they had for bachelorette parties. Not a fucking chance.
Noct kept looking. He saw makeup, then nail polish. Did Prompto paint his nails? They had black with silver glitter. Prompto would look hot in that shade. That’d be a gift for Noct, not necessarily for Prompto. He walked past skin creams, kids’ toothbrushes, eye care. Then he saw it. It was bright yellow. A contact lens case! Prompto wore contacts. Even better, this was a chocobo-themed contact lens case. If anything in the store screamed Prompto, this was it!
The outer case was shaped like a chocobo head. It had an adorable expression with big eyes and a little tufted feather crest at the top. The inner lens compartments had a chibi chocobo chick painted on each of the two snap-close lids. It was only 5 gil. Best gift ever!
“I got it!” He yelled out, all his princely manners flying out the window.
Gladio and Ignis poked their heads out of their respective aisles, arms full of junk. So did an older lady who’d been picking through the greeting card section. She scrutinized the prince with a frown on her face. Did she recognize me?
Ignis strode over to look, and the lady turned away. “What did you select? Ah, a lens case. Very practical. Good choice, Noct. The chocobo motif is apt. Thoughtful!”
“Thanks, Iggy.”
Gladio’s frame loomed over Noct’s head, also checking out his pick. “Surprised you didn’t try to get him a real chocobo yet.”
“Yeah, well, if you know where to get one for 10 fucking gil, you coulda said something earlier.”
The greeting card lady sighed audibly.
“Noctis, watch your language in public, please.” Ignis hurried them all to the checkout.
They paid quickly and Gladio carried their purchases to the car. Noctis was elated with his choice. Prompto would like it. Ignis was pleased with the practicality of it. Everybody was happy. Well, Noct didn’t care if Gladio was happy, because Gladio had been annoying all day and nobody was as happy with himself as Gladio was with Gladio. So whatever.
Noct felt genuine gratitude toward Ignis for making this possible, and made sure to let him know as he was dropped off home. “Thanks, Iggy! For doing the thing. With this. For me.”
“My pleasure, Noctis. If it helps your relationship with Prompto and saves you some grief with your classmates, I am quite happy to do it. Will you need assistance wrapping your present?”
“No, I think I got it. Still have birthday stuff leftover from Gladio’s party.” He’d given his Shield a custom leather sword sheath. That’s how royal gifts were normally done. Specially-made and expensive. Noct couldn’t wait until it was appropriate to spoil Prompto like that. Gladio could have a present from the gil store next year instead.
“Wonderful. Highness, I will leave you to it, as I have some classes of my own to attend this evening. Remember your report on Galahd for later this week.”
“Yup. I’ll get it done. Bye Ignis. Later, Gladio.” With that, Ignis drove off. Gladio saluted Noct with two fingers, then turned it into a rude hand gesture.
Thursday morning arrived too early. Noct woke to Ignis shaking him gently. “Forgive me, Noctis, but I’ve called you out of school for the next two days.”
Blinking the sleep away, Noctis croaked out, “Forgive you for that?”
“Your father wishes you to attend the talks with Galahd today and tomorrow. He believes one cannot grasp proper nuance without being there for the full session. He also felt you might enjoy being out of classes for two entire days.”
Noct knew not to complain when his dad requested his presence. Sure, getting out of school would normally be great, but he’d miss the chance to give Prompto his gift. He’d miss Prompto, plain and simple.
He slowly got himself up with the help of Iggy’s pancakes, and messaged Prompto about his absence.
N: Srry gonna miss today & tmrw
Prince shit
P: S’ok bud. I’ll miss ya.
N: thnks I’ll make it up to u
P: my hero
No nvrmd
only iggy can fix this with food
Tell him he’s my real hero
Noct stashed his phone away, missing his friend so much it hurt already.
He attended all the meetings, took notes, greeted people, and played the role of proper prince. As soon as they broke for lunch, he texted Prompto again.
N: hey
P: hey yourself. How’s stuff?
Nvrmd. U probably can’t say
N: it’s ok, srry I can’t be there
P: Like you miss being in school
N: I miss hangin out
P: me too
N: srry gonna miss exchange too
P: I’m sure your person will understand
Errybody wondering who you got
Girls all want u
!
I mean girls all want ur gifts
Wait that’s worse
but probably true
Anyway they want you to be their gift giver
Noct rolled his eyes. He hated that sort of attention, and he hated the idea that Prompto would be all alone Friday morning waiting to find his gift-giver, unaware the prince had taken the whole thing over. He didn’t want to confess to Prompto over text, though, so he said nothing more about it.
N:they dumb
U got any pics from AM run? Send me
P: Yup, sending
Noct’s phone pinged multiple times as pictures rolled in. Cats, dogs, squirrels, birds, bunnies, caterpillars, and whatever else Prompto photographed that morning. He could have just checked social media, where his friend usually posted pics. Noct preferred it when Prompto sent photos directly to his phone. It was his very own curated collection of Prompto Argentum originals. And if he just so happened to be planning a Royal Gallery showing of his friend’s work some day in the future, well, that was nobody’s business.
The meetings re-convened. Noct did his best to focus. It was not easy.
When the long day was finally over and he was back home, he outlined a few points to make in his analysis for Ignis. Prompto had shared a Moogledoc containing missed notes from class. There were doodles all over the page, including one of a fish with hair like Noct’s. That was going in the Prompto gallery collection, too.
Friday rolled around, and the school gift exchange went on ahead without Noctis. The prince sat in on more talks, then attended a farewell lunch for the representatives. He picked at his meal and imagined Prompto sitting all by himself, the only person in the school neither giving nor receiving a gift, growing more and more hurt and disappointed as the minutes ticked by. Prompto had looked forward to this event. Noct didn’t even care about it, yet he had used his station to make it go his way. Yes, he’d only done it because he liked Prompto so much. But it hadn’t been fair. He hoped Prompto didn’t end the day feeling bad about himself. Noct needed to clear any doubts from his friend’s mind. To let him know what a gift he was to anyone who knew him. To Noct.
Ignis also felt bad about the gift exchange going belly up. He gave Noct his enthusiastic approval to make weekend plans with Prompto to make up for the mishap.
N: Prom, can you come over tonite and stay over? Game marathon
P: Is that allowed?
A sleepover was new territory.
N: Yes! Leaving Citadel at 5. U done with work by then? U can eat with us.
P: Yeah. No work today, just chores
Gotta do the lawn, walk Shasta my neighbor dog, put trash out
Then I’m good
N:we’ll pick u up. Bring stuff for nite
P: Looking forward dude!
Prompto didn’t sound mad at all. Of course not, because Prompto was always forgiving and kind. Prompto was amazing. And responsible. Of course he had chores. That was a normal thing people did. Noct had duties, never chores. Even as prince, no one expected him to be reliable the way Prompto was.
Their lives were not the same and never would be. Prompto allowed Noct to forget about all that. That was part of why Noct loved being around him. There was no weight of the crown, no public expectation, when he was around Prompto. He was fun. They had the same interests, no matter their backgrounds.
But what was it like for Prompto to be Noct’s friend? Prompto probably couldn’t forget about their unequal status, wealth, or importance. Well, fuck that. If Noct had privilege, the least he could do would be use it to make his perfect and beautiful crush’s life easier. To make sure Prompto felt good every day.
“Iggy? Can you do me one more favor?”
“Another, Highness?”
“Yeah, sorry. Could you go back to the store and get another one of those contact lens thingies? The chocobo one.”
“I will. May I ask why?”
Noct took a minute to collect his thoughts, then blurted out everything on his mind. “I want Prompto to have stuff here so he can visit more, stay longer. Prompto’s on his own a lot. He has to take care of things by himself, and sometimes he forgets stuff. Easy to do. I want to have his back. Like you have mine.
He was completely left out today and it was my fault. I don’t feel great about that. He didn’t complain or anything, but I would hate if he was lonely. I want this to be sort of like his home too. Like a second home. He should have that.
If he could stay over, maybe we could even ride to school together, or he could go to his job from here. And you can give him breakfast, and check his homework. All that. Whatever. He belongs with me. Uh, with us.”
Ignis smiled softly. “That is very kind of you, Noctis. I know you care for Prompto. Gladio and I enjoy his company as well. I think we can carve out some time in your schedule for you to spend more time together.”
“I kept thinking you wanted me to compare the gift exchange to the Galahd situation, find some lesson in it. But I can’t see how they relate. Galahd is still hurt from the war and all the people and things they lost. Lucis can’t change the past. Maybe we should have helped more. Maybe we couldn’t. I don’t know. We can do our best to help now. Build trust from now on by keeping our promises and being honest. This won’t be fixed with a few talks. It’s just a start.
With Prompto, though, it’s not the same. Prompto’s not Galahd. We trust each other. When I mess up, he never holds a grudge. He treats me like we’re the same. You know I really like him. Well, if he doesn’t feel the same way, it’s okay. I’m good with being friends. Really good. I just want to be around him. I only want to make his life better if I can.”
“That’s from the heart, Highness. Rather a nice analysis, I’d say. I had not considered the potential for parallels, but I appreciate your line of thought. You conducted yourself well this week, and your father will be well pleased. You deserve a relaxing weekend. I’ll get you that chocobo case, and we’ll pick up dear Prompto later. I can easily compile a few necessities for him with no trouble.”
“Think we could get him spare contacts, too?”
“Certainly not. That requires a prescription, and I draw the line at intruding on his private medical affairs.”
Of course, Gladio had to overhear that part. “Better make sure Blondie likes you before you ask him to move in, Princess.” Noct narrowed his eyes into thin slits at the larger man. Gladio could never resist interrupting his moments.
“Okay, Iggy, here’s my new analysis. Prompto is Galahd, and I’m Lucis, and we’re about to have a great time except Gladio, who is the Empire, keeps cockblocking us from trading and being happy.”
“Pretty easy to block something that tiny, Noct.”
“Gentlemen, please! We are representatives of the King!” Noct shut up only for Ignis’s sake.
When the day was finally over, the prince bounded down the Citadel steps to get to the car. He didn’t even bother to change out of his suit. They drove directly to Prompto’s house. Out came the blond with a stuffed backpack, camera, and a big smile. His golden hair glistened in the setting sun. Noct fantasized a brief image of a grown-up, handsome Prompto in a dark suit with a silver crown woven into his pretty hair, smiling at him in the same way. Maybe one day.
Arriving at the apartment, Noctis threw his things on the floor carelessly. He tore off his jacket and tie, and headed to his room to change. Ignis washed his hands and started dinner.
In a very princely fashion, Noctis yelled from his bedroom to Prompto in the living room. “Ignis’s handmade pizza is to die for, Prom!”
“I can’t wait!” Prompto hollered, impressively. “Did you tell him I love his food?”
Noctis enjoyed the shouting, knowing Ignis and Gladio had to hear in surround sound volume. “I might have let it slip!”
“Wait dude, you eat tomatoes on pizza? That’s a vegetable!”
“Only in sauce form!”
Prompto giggled. “Ignis, feel free to put as many veggies as you want on half of that pie!”
Ignis interjected. Not shouting, because Ignis did not shout. He projected. “Oh, do not worry Prompto. We have Gladio here. I will be making four pizzas, as he can eat two by himself. We shall have a meat lovers pie, a vegetable medley, plain cheese, and margherita. Enough variety to please everyone, even our prince.”
“Hey!” Noct felt insulted. “I like plain AND meat lovers! I am not picky!”
“Hmm,” Ignis tutted. “Practically a gourmand.”
Noct emerged in comfortable clothes, ready for a full night of food, games, and Prompto Prompto Prompto.
“Thanks for having me over, buddy. I can’t believe you’re letting me stay!”
“I neeeed this game session, Prom. You have no idea.”
“Hey Noct, before we eat, can we do our gift exchange?” Noct hadn’t told him about the rigging. “You can’t hide it from me. I know you set it up so you would get me. But can you believe it? I got your name, too!”
Gladio made kissy faces in the kitchen where Prompto couldn’t see. Noct ignored the idiotic meat shield and focused on his wonderful, sweet best friend who had almost, but not quite, figured out the prince’s scheme.
Prompto handed him his gift. “It’s not much. Hope you like it, though.” It was wrapped in a dark blue gift bag with silver-gray tissue paper. Noct loved it already.
“Prom, it’s supposed to be small. I know I’ll like it. Also, sorry you didn’t have anyone to hang out with today.”
“It’s okay. I knew you weren’t coming in, but I figured whoever you were giving your present to might be alone. I waited to make sure they had someone to talk to. When I saw everyone had matches but me and nobody else had my name, I figured it out. Knew you fixed it to get me, dude, but I still can’t believe my luck that I got you! Anyway, I didn’t mind sitting by myself. Got some photo edits done.”
It wasn’t okay. Had Noct been in his friend’s position, stuck at school with Prompto absent, the prince would have called Ignis and fucked off of classes immediately. Prompto had stayed behind, thinking about the feelings of some other kid who might be left out. Prompto always considered others, made sure nobody felt bad. Noct wanted to be that person for Prompto.
“You first, Noct! I waited all day!”
Noctis couldn’t argue with that. He dug in, feeling something soft inside the tissue paper. He unfolded the gift slowly and carefully, as Ignis had taught him, so as not to appear greedy. Inside was a black terry cloth headband with tiny cat ears.
“It reminded me so much of you, buddy! I had to get it! I know you like cats. You nap just like one. And sometimes your hair gets in the way when you lean over your desk or wear those safety goggles for Chem. I know you won’t wear it to school but I thought you could at home, for like, shaving or something.”
“Shaving what?” Gladio again, ruining another moment.
“I shave.”
“Those two hairs on your lip?”
Noct was definitely getting a new Shield. Maybe Iris could replace her brother.
“Prom, I love this! For like, washing my face and shaving and all that. Thank you!” Noct would definitely use this for applying his skin care.
Ignis popped his head in to take a look, dusting off floured hands on his apron. His smiled with approval when he saw the present. “Oh, that is a very nice headband, Prompto. You know, even his Highness gets an occasional pimple, and he needs to keep those messy bangs off his face to do a proper skin care routine.”
“Ignis! Don’t tell him that!” Maybe Noct needed to hang out at Prompto’s more. Both his retainers were intent on embarrassing him. “Prom, don’t listen to them at all, but thank you. Now your turn.”
Prompto lifted the small box. Noctis had decorated it in fabric wrap embellished with the Lucis Caelum sigil. Not exactly gil store stuff, but Prompto deserved the best. The blond admired it and delicately untied the cloth.
He took one look at the chocobo lens case and squealed.
“NOCT! I love it! Ohmygodsthankyou! This is perfect! I have a boring one at home, but this is soooo much better! It’s the best!” He hugged the case to his chest like it really was the most precious thing ever. Noct was going to die. Prompto had lethal levels of cuteness. The king needed to outlaw that.
“That’s not all, Prom. That was for the school thing, but I got you a matching one to keep here. So when you stay over, you got a place for your contacts. Or if you forget, like the other day. I wanted to get spare contacts too, but that’s like prescription only, so Iggy said no. He did get you solution stuff.”
“Yes, eye health is important.” The advisor was on board with the plan.
Noct continued. “I want you to have things here so you can stay sometimes. Maybe every other weekend? If I don’t have prince shit and you don’t have work?”
“I would love that. Thanks Noct!” Prompto leapt forward and threw his arms around the prince.
Prompto hugged him. Prompto, his crush, had hugged him. Oh, Noct was definitely going to die. And he would be a happy man. Death by Prompto Argentum.
Princes rarely got hugs. Gladio tossed him around in training and Ignis would pat his shoulder in encouragement. His father hadn’t hugged him since he was a young boy. Or was it since the king started using a cane? Noct wasn’t sure and it didn’t matter right now. Prompto was in his arms. Prompto was a hugger, and Noctis wanted to be hugged by Prompto, so this was a pretty good exchange.
They drew apart, and Noct put on his headband. It was super soft. It blended with his dark hair so well, the cat ears appeared to grow out of his head naturally. Prompto snapped a picture and sent it to Gladio and Ignis.
“Prom, pick any game you want and start it up. I’ll be right back.” Noct got up to check on the pizza, but he stopped before entering the kitchen, listening to the conversation his two retainers were already in the middle of.
Gladio was laughing at the picture of Noct. “Blondie’s a gift that keeps on giving!”
“He is good for Noctis.”
“Are we cool with him staying nights?”
“I’ve already cleared out a section of the closet for him.”
“Guess I’ve got two idiots to keep an eye on then.”
“Perhaps one day, two princes.”
Noct could only dream. He turned back to the couch and plunked down, grabbing the second controller for the zombie shooter. Whatever did or didn’t happen between them, Noct’s door would always be open for his best friend.
“Hey, Prom. I gotta come clean.”
“What’s up, buddy?”
“I made Ignis fix the exchange so it’d be only us giving to each other. I’m sorry. It was selfish. I don’t want to keep you from other friends. I wanted the chance to give you something and hang out. You don’t take much but you deserve a lot. Didn’t mean to leave you hanging alone today.”
“You did that?” Prompto laughed softly. “S’fine, dude. I was super happy I got you. I never get the chance to give you anything either, man, ‘cause what do you give a prince that he doesn’t already have?” Noct thought, you give me you! He couldn’t say it yet.
Prompto continued. “And this was like the perfect way to do it. Hey, next time you pull rank, though, tell me.” Prompto bumped his shoulder, and Noct’s character got scratched up by a zombie. “And if you’re up for skipping class, I’ll get myself signed out too. We’ll fuck off and go to the arcade.” Then Prompto winked and laid his head on the prince’s shoulder. Noct froze, and a zombie grabbed and killed his character. Astrals above, Noct was going to die in real life too. Death by his totally hot and surprising best friend who maybe, possibly, hopefully liked him back.