Author's Notes: This was inspired by several Promptis fics I read on archiveofourown, and a newborn love for Prompto that sprang out of the ground this week, while watching a Let's Play of Final Fantasy XV. The fics I read were all beautiful, gorgeously written, all of them focusing on Prompto's insecurities over his friendship with the Prince Noctis. One of them was 'Burst Mode' by velociraptors.

I know there's no Christmas in Eos, and Noctis is going to be a bit OOC, as I picture him quiet yet open, expressive towards his friends in his own way. But fanfiction allows one's imagination to be limitless, and since I can't adopt Prompto, I've got to do something that shows I love him.

Thank you for reading. It means a lot to me!


It was only natural, to thank the one that lightened the load on his shoulders. By no small amount, either.

A nugget of wisdom he reflected on, as the local bus charted him towards home. His eyes, made of somber yet expressive blue, were glazed in the thoughts that flooded his mind-all of them focused on the friend he had just left behind. The baggage that came with his title had been set aside for the day, and with no small amount of reluctance. Academic studies and his father's sermons were wiped off the day's agenda, leaving ample time to focus on what was really important-putting a smile on a certain friend's face. Thanking Prompto for being a much-needed anchor, when everything and everyone else around him constantly threatened to cast him out to sea. Father included.

There was a life beyond the crown, beyond titles and responsibilities piled higher than the towers of Lucis. There were treasures outside of the palace, far away from anything and everything having to do with his lineage, and one small soul reminded him of that. It was because of that flicker of light, that lifeline, he chose to take the public transit. He could've easily summoned Ignis or anyone else to drive him home, but his sugary sweet, adorable caretaker was busy, and why throw away any reminder of sanity? Why dishonor the air his friend shoved into his lungs? Even if it would've been just hitching a ride in the royal car, via Ignis or anyone else, it still would've been an act of treason against someone that saved his life. On an hourly basis.

Noctis would put his father to shame before even thinking of committing such a crime.

The first kisses of snow blanketed the bus that carried him and a dozen others to their destinations. The world he grew up in was kissed with a wintry glow, shining with newborn snow and sprinkling rare magic onto the faces of those around him. Arms safely wrapped around groceries from one of the local markets, he settled a hand on his forehead. It was only natural to thank the one that taught him how to acknowledge the ripples in an otherwise ordinary lake. The way the sun kissed the horizon whenever the clock struck a certain hour. The way certain foods tasted after a long, back-breaking day of memorizing dates and names. It was only natural to thank the one that reminded him to breathe, and with Ignis out of the way on errands, there was more than enough room to come up with the means to show gratitude. He'd arrive back at their apartment soon enough, ingredients for one of Prompto's favorite snacks in hand. Without a certain mentor lecturing him on the evils of burning down the entire kingdom, he'd be able to work his way through a certain recipe. The owner of Prompto's favorite bakery was more than happy to share his secrets for Choco Puffs with the Prince of Lucis. All the prince had to do was keep himself from destroying said recipe, not blow up the kingdom and boom. Ignis would be a happy camper, and Prompto would have one of his most favorite snacks for the Christmas party.

The Christmas party. Ah. Prompto invited all of them to his house a little while back, but his words and the tone in which they were spoken rang in Noctis' ears, as if the invitation had just been given a few seconds ago.

"Why don't you guys all hang out at my place? Y'know, for a Christmas bash! It'll be great! Come on!"

Then came what Gladiolus called the 'killer move'. The face no one in Eos would turn away from.

"Of course, you don't have to. I know you guys are all busy 'n stuff. How about this? I'll put it on in tomorrow night. If you guys show up at my place, great! If you don't, don't worry about it. It'll be cool. We'll all still be the best of buds, right?"

Right. Because no one in their right mind would even think of refusing to grant Prompto's wish. It was as Gladio always said: 'there's a few things in life you just don't do. Disappointing Puppy Face over there is one of 'em'.'

Especially when he had never invited anyone, not even Noctis, to his house before.

Not once.

Prompto made no big deal out of anything being brought to the party. There were no requests, no requests for any of Chef Ignis' masterpieces. Not even for Meldacio Meat Pie or Ignis' famous rib steak. All he wanted was for the three of them to show up. At his house. A place never before revealed to the rest of the world. Kept hidden, lonely, empty. Noctis sensed a burning drive to keep it that way, but the magic of the fast-approaching Christmas season must've excited Prompto so much, he couldn't possibly keep any part of his world hidden from his friends. Thus, his very first invitation into a world that must've caused him so much hurt. His first invitation into a world he wanted to heal, and believed his friends could heal it. Just by standing in it.

Never one to keep things quiet, especially when it came to doing things for those that tolerated him, Ignis came up with an idea. "It would be unforgivably rude of us to shoulder you with the responsibility of providing nourishment," Noctis' caretaker piped in, forever serene and smooth. Always on the prowl for any excuse to shove his way into the kitchen.

"After all, you'll be the one providing us with festivities for the night. Why don't you allow us to bring refreshments?"

Prompto turned the offer down, repeatedly assuring them that the night would be a blockbuster smash without anyone bringing anything. Which made the three of them all the more determined to bring the best dishes they could think of. Especially since their living, breathing Choco Puff expected none of them to show up. After all, why would they?

"If you guys can't make it, hey, let it go. Just a dumb idea I had. There won't be any hard feelings."

Prompto reminded him to breathe right when the sky started to crumble. Reminded him to step away from the throne and look beyond, into a world where simple yet beautiful treasures awaited him.

The least he could do was show up at his Christmas party. With one of his favorite snacks. Prompto was worth it. Worth the trouble, worth the effort, worth every last bit of expense and more.

Buying him something would've been easy, but Noctis was never satisfied with anything 'easy', and Prompto didn't deserve something he could just walk into any shop and buy. While breathing life into him on a daily basis won him rights to a thousand kingdoms, and more, Prompto's first Christmas party-at his HOUSE-deserved something hand-made. Something made with his own efforts. Proof that Choco Puff's efforts in reminding him to breathe, to relax and step back, weren't at all wasted.

He had to bring him his best efforts. Or at least attempt to make something halfway edible, without burning down his apartment.