Told you all I'd start off a highschool era fic! Here's the beginnings of god-knows-what. Who knows where I'll go with this, but it was a load of fun to write!
Tell me what you think! :D
Thanks to The_Asset6 (Archiveofourown) for the title!
Duties, schmuties.
It had been nothing but a stupid argument.
Thunder rumbled across the sky of Insomnia; as if Ramuh himself had opened the heavens and let the rain fall forth. Each roar of sound was preceded by a bright flash of lightning that forked and snaked its way across the clouds in an unrelenting anger. The streets beneath his boots were sodden and dotted with puddles, leaving the Crown Prince Noctis to carefully pick his route as to best avoid getting wet socks. He wasn't entirely sure where he was going; after all he'd left the Citadel in a flash of blue – warping over the surrounding wall in order to pull his little escape. It was just…
Suffocating.
Wherever he went, duty followed. It had been that exact duty that had left him stood in an audience chamber with his father, explaining why he'd failed to look over the reports Ignis had brought to his apartment earlier that evening. The warping may have been a little excessive as he lived in the high-rise flats of Insomnia's suburbs, yet his father had demanded that he spend the evening in the confines of his room completing the pile of papers he was already over-due on. Instead, he'd slipped out of the view of his trailing Kingslaive – much to the man's annoyance, he was sure – and had made a grand escape over the Western side of the Citadel.
Now, however, he was left walking the streets wandering where to go next. Pulling his phone free from his pocket, he flicked the screen up before noting the number of texts and missed calls already. There was only one name that wasn't apparent on the screen; the one person who wouldn't force him into his duties: Prompto.
Noctis had only visited Prompto's house twice before. Once, to briefly pick up a spare set of clothing before the two had spent the night at his own apartment and secondly a few months later when the blonde had neglected to turn up to school for a few days, leaving Noctis no other choice than to quite literally stalk him. Both events had occurred almost a year ago at the beginning of their friendship. Or well, renewed friendship. Though Prompto was never keen to discuss the fact it was actually the second time they'd met.
Scrolling through his contact list, he opened up Prompto's message tab.
[18:03] Busy?
He halted in his steps as he hit the send button, briefly ducking under a bus shelter to avoid the onslaught of rain. Noctis had been so frustrated during his escape from the Citadel that he'd neglected to think of the practicalities; and that included forgetting to grab a coat. Here he was, drowning in his own school uniform.
The reply was almost instant.
[18:04] Prom: Not really. Doing that homework. Sup?
Noctis let his fingers linger over the keypad for a moment before shoving his phone back into his pocket. If Prom was doing his homework then chances were he was at home. All he needed was somewhere quiet to hide out for a while; to pretend he was just like any other teenager and didn't have the weight of the city bearing down on his shoulders. He just didn't want to attempt to verbalise that nor put it into words on his phone. Resuming his walk through the pouring rain, he continued to make his way through the city in the general direction of Prompto's house. As he walked, however, his phone buzzed a second time. Pulling it free, he glanced lazily over the stream of texts that were coming in.
[18:02] Ignis: I understand that you want some space, but this is not the best time to seek it. Please, let us know where you are Noct.
[18:03] Gladio: Specs is going insane, and rightly so. Pick up your damned phone.
[18:05] Ignis: Just answer my texts, I'm getting in the car now. I'll come and meet you.
[18:08] Prom: Dude, don't text then fall silent on me now.
[18:08] Gladio: Start answering, kid. This isn't funny. Get your arse back to the Citadel.
[18:09] Prom: Ignis just called. Don't tell me you're actually out in that rain, like, drowning much?
A sigh left his lips as the messages continued to pop through; though the sound itself surprised him as it was interrupted by shivers and chattering teeth. In hindsight, grabbing a coat would have been a life-saving decision. Pushing his phone back into his pocket, he continued to wander the streets for a good twenty more minutes or so before finally rounding a corner and almost walking head-first into a passer-by. Hands stuffed into his pockets, and head down, Noctis was more than ready to mutter an apology and keep walking when a familiar voice stopped him.
"Duuude. You're like, totally soaked. Practically fish-level soaked." The rain above him stopped abruptly as Prompto Argentum stood before him, now holding a bright-yellow chocobo print umbrella over the two of them; looking at him with a mixture of amusement and concern touching his expression. Amusement at seeing the Crown Prince looking like a drowned rat, but concern for seeing him shivering against the cold.
Noctis shrugged, avoiding the concerned gaze by focusing his attention on the brickwork of the wall aside them. "Didn't have time to grab a coat."
"Well, planning a not-so-secret escape will do that to ya." Prompto remarked, still holding his gaze on the shivering Prince. "Well, my place ain't far. Not as fancy as yours, but certainly lacking in obligations, right?"
Noctis wasn't stupid. The only reason he'd walked into Prom was because the blonde had gone out looking for him knowing full well he was on his way to his house; but it was endearing to see him skirting around the obvious topic as to why Noct had snuck out of the Citadel in the first place. It was as if he was an open book in front of the bumbling blonde.
"Yeah." His response was simple enough, and certainly didn't cover the points that the blonde had just raised. But it was enough. The two began to wander towards Prompto's house in relative silence; asides from where the blonde would occasionally hum an RPG tune under his breath or point out some pointless fact or another about the area.
It didn't take long for the two of them to reach the small house in the suburbs. It was rather quaint and homely in comparison to his own intimidating apartment; which he'd never have been able to get up to in one piece if it wasn't for a convenient elevator. Stepping up to the porch, Prompto closed the umbrella before setting it aside and opening the door. It always struck Noctis odd that the blondes parents were never around; but from experience he'd learned not to mention it. It was clearly an awkward topic and wasn't something he was going to pry out of his only friend. His only friend that didn't demand he take his responsibilities seriously every second of every day.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice Prompto staring at him; waiting for him to step inside. Which… He hastily did so upon realising his distracted state. Nevertheless, the blonde didn't comment on it.
"There's some uh.." Prompto trailed off for a moment, before continuing and significantly brightening in composure. "There's some spare clothes in the bathroom draw, and feel free to use the shower. Unless you prefer looking like a drowned chocobo?"
"Look who's talking." Noctis smirked, stepping forward and attempting to land a ruffle on the blondes tuft of chocobo-butt styled hair. He missed as the blonde darted backwards, throwing a towel towards him; which he caught easily.
Defensively, Prompto brushed a hand through his hair. "Dude! It like, looks nothing like a Chocobo's butt!"
"Sure does." Noct called back as he made his way over to the stairs; the same smirk plastered on his lips.
"Does noooooot!" Came the familiar whine from the kitchen.
Despite his only occasional visits to Prompto's house, he was already familiar enough with the layout of the building to meander his way easily to the bathroom. Shivers still wracked his body lightly from the downpour outside; but the heat of the house was certainly warming him up fast. Stepping into the bathroom, Noctis pulled the door shut behind him before setting the towel down on the cupboard and stripping away his sodden clothes. His phone continued to vibrate against the pile of clothes; finally making him give in and pull it free from the trouser pocket.
[18:42] Ignis: Your Highness, this is serious. You're not at your apartment, where are you? I'd rather not call the Crownsguard to hunt you down.
Noctis very briefly considered tapping in an eventual reply to that threat; though figured he still had a few more hours before Ignis finally lost it enough to act on it. If he told him where he was, the advisor would be here within moments and frankly Noct just wanted a few, just a few, hours to himself and Prompto; away from the constant duties, expectations, and arguments. He didn't dare turn his phone off, and thus resorted to setting it against the counter as he stepped into the shower. Leaning forward to turn the dial on, he tilted his head back as the cascade of warm water fell upon him; easing both his mind and his aching muscles from the cold walk.
Rainy days were the worst. Those were the days where could feel the tightness of the skin on his back from old scars; the days where his leg had a constant ache to it and threatened to give out entirely if pushed to its limit. He spared a brief glance back at the foggy reflective tiles behind him, catching sight of the two faint lines that ran across his back diagonally. They were jagged and an ugly reminder that his royalty cost people their lives. Water continued to flow down his body as he turned his attention back to the shower above; raising both hands to run them through his hair and against his face- muffling a groan of irritation under his palms.
Just one evening. Just one.
After a good few minutes, Noctis stepped free of the shower and dried himself. Shrugging into Prompto's spare clothes – which were slightly baggy on him – he grabbed his phone before making his way down the stairs. The smell of cup noodles was all too familiar; something Prompto constantly berated him about eating and yet a glance into the kitchen was enough for him to catch sight of the blonde pouring water into two of them. He was far too engulfed in humming a Kings Knight victory tune to notice Noctis' re-entry, and so he instead made his way over to the couch before lying down on it and stretching out. Closing his eyes, he let his mind drift easily for a few moments; even nearly to the point of succumbing to sleep, when Prom spoke up from the kitchen.
"TV remotes on the table if you want to stick something on, buddy."
Opening his eyes and making a grab for the object in question, Noct flicked the TV on and began to scan lazily through the channels as Prompto came over with the two filled noodle cups. He settled himself down on the floor with his back against the soft the Prince was currently led across, though waved his hand dismissively as Noct tried to budge up for him.
"Looks like you need it more than I do. Anything good on?"
"Bunch of cooking programs."
"Sweet, you might actually learn something on one of those, pal!" Prom chimed, laughing.
"Like what?"
"Like 'how to not burn the apartment down with toast'? Or 'plastic doesn't go in the microwav- mmph!"
He was rather abruptly cut off as Noct reached to shove a cushion against his face, a wide smirk stretching across his expression. "What was that? I can't hear you over the pillow."
"Plas-mmf! Micr-mm, mmf!"
"Still can't hear you, Prom."
It was at that point Prompto actually had the sense to duck away from the pillow-lock, practically landing on his back against the floor as he pouted childishly up at Noctis.
"Dude! Totally not fair! You can't use my own furniture against me!"
"Why not? I am the Prince. You're disrespecting my cooking skills." There was a slight twinge in his gut at using his title, even in jest.
"Or lack of!"
The cushion flew into Prompto's face.
"Honestly, you're committing treason right here." Noctis continued, unable to keep the grin from slipping onto his expression at the feigned look of hurt Prom pulled in hearing his words.
"Should really get you some cooking lessons with Iggy, can only improve, right?" Prompto laughed, setting the previously thrown cushion in his lap. The look on Noct's face caused his own smile to falter. Oops. The moment the words had come out of his mouth he'd been reminded of exactly why his best friend was sat in his house to begin with. Ignis was just a sore reminder of it.
"Oh uh, sorry." He stammered, sheepishly rubbing a hand against the back of his neck as he averted his gaze.
Noctis' attention had already drifted back to changing channels on the TV; his expression far more solemn than it had been a few seconds before hand. "It's fine." He muttered, feigning interest on one of the news channels reporting on Insomnia's upcoming carnival.
It really wasn't fine, and even Prompto could see that. Instead of pushing the matter further though, the blonde retrieved his cup noodle from the side and began to chow down on it. Noctis carried on flicking through the news channels, pausing only briefly on a clip of his Father visiting one of the newly erected hospitals in the lower distract. His gaze lingered on the cane; the cane he'd only found out about a few months prior. The Crystal was taking it's toll; a stark reminder that his life at the moment was ticking away until everything would be uprooted and sent straight to hell-
"-oct? You listening, pal?" Prompto cut into his thoughts. Oops. No, he hadn't been. He flicked the channel over to something random before looking down at the blonde.
"Yeah?"
"I said you can stay here for the night if y'want. I know it's not that fancy, or spacious-.. Or great at all really, but-"
"Thanks." Noct nodded, not letting him finish his little ramble. Reaching for his phone, he glanced down at the stream of messages; furrowing his brow as the threats of deploying the Crownsguard only increased in number. Absently, he opened Ignis' messaging tab and tapped in a reply.
[19:48] At Prom's. No need to panic.
The reply was almost instant. He could just imagine Ignis staring at his own phone screen intently.
[19:48] Ignis: I'm coming to get you. This is hardly appropriate behaviour, Noctis.
[19:48] Pick me up tomorrow after school. I'm crashing here, and I'll walk to school with Prom in the morning.
Noct didn't bother waiting for a reply to that one. He'd be damned if he was being dragged back to the Citadel at this hour. Prompto had fallen silent; but there was no doubt the blonde had noticed his expression whilst reading the texts – he just knew better than to bring it up. Something Noctis was surprisingly thankful for. Continuing to flick the channels, he eventually settled on some obscure cartoon about a talking sponge before relaxing against the cushions of the sofa.
It didn't take long for his eyes to begin to feel heavy; the cold of the rain and sudden warmth of the shower was enough to wreak havoc on his already exhausted body. Warping out of the Citadel hadn't helped his situation either. Gladio would be proud of him successfully pulling a warp off without throwing his guts up; though perhaps not so proud that he'd done so whilst breaking rules. Closing his eyes, he told himself he'd allow a five-minute rest. Of course, it wasn't long before he was enveloped in the familiar sensation of sleep.
Prompto glanced back at the slumbering Prince on the sofa and chuckled. Noct was definetly out for the count; leaving the blonde to grab his own yellow-toned phone from the table. Sure enough, Ignis had tried contacting him the moment he'd realised where Noctis had hidden out. Unknown to Noctis, the three friends had set up a chat together incase of 'emergencies' such as this, which was already flooded of Ignis panicking and Gladio attempting to pacify the situation.
[18:48] Iggy: He's ceased replying to my texts now. I've half a mind to go over there.
[18:48] Big Guy: Oh sure, that won't start another argument. I know you're pissed he did it on your watch, but just let the kid have a night off.
[18:49] He's asleep on my couch, totally out of it. ┐(︶▽︶)┌
[18:49] Big Guy: See, the kids fine. I'd like to know how the hell he got out of the Citadel without being noticed.
[18:49] Iggy: From what I can establish, he warped over the western wall.
[18:50] What, like, teleported? Like in the comics?
[18:50] Iggy: Yes, like the comics.
[18:51] Big Guy: Warped? Hah, remind me to give the kid a slap on the back for managing that.
[18:51] What's got him so worked up, anyway?
[18:52] Iggy: I believe he had a disagreement with his father earlier in the evening, though I am as of yet unsure as to what the topic at hand was this time.
Prompto tapped his fingers against the side of his phone before glancing back at Noct's sleeping form. It wasn't rare for him to fall out with his Father; he had a habit of failing to express what he truly wanted to say and often it could lead to disagreements. He'd learned over the year that with Noct, it was always a case of reading between the lines or examining the silences. Getting to his feet, he absently retrieved one of the spare blankets before throwing it over the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince who was currently led in his sorry-excuse for a living room.
Despite the occasional arguments and run-aways, this had to be the first time Noct had sought out his company at home. Often he'd be left searching the arcades well into the night before coming across the teen; this time had been different and clearly whatever the two had argued about was enough to eat away at him to the point where he actively made a point to try and crash at Prompto's. Sure, he'd offered, but only because he knew it was going to happen anyway. He didn't mind, however.
"Night, bud." The blonde nodded, picking up his empty cup noodle and the untouched one. Setting them down in the kitchen, he made his way up to his room for the night, glancing but once at his phone with the ongoing discussion between Ignis and Gladio.
Princes… will be Princes…