Prompto and Noctis sat out at the edge of the campsite, feet overhanging the twenty foot drop, campfire to their backs. They knew beyond the safety of the glowing runes beneath them deamons roamed the night, but from here they could enjoy it in relative quiet.
"After we kick some serious Empire butt, how long do you think it's going to take to rebuild?" Prompto asked. "Do you think we'll ever get to have fun outside the city again, I mean all of us?"
Noctis thought for a second, "Why not? Once they're gone I won't have to stick around to keep up the Wall."
"I guess I just thought a King had to stay in his castle for some reason." Prompto admitted.
Noctis laughed at him. "You really don't know anything about politics."
Prompto elbowed him. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't receive a special education so that I could serve you better," he gave a mock bow from where he sat, "my liege."
"I'm sure in between Gladio kicking your ass at training, and protecting me while I sleep, Ignis will teach you everything you need to know."
"I signed up for that, didn't I?" Prompto groaned, thinking about his job as a Crown's Guard.
"You signed up for it," Noctis smirked, "So now you have to protect me while I take a royal shit."
"Just as long as I don't have to wipe your ass. I'll quit first." Prompto warned.
"Nah, I'll hire someone prettier to do that for me." Noctis assured, and they fell back into an easy silence.
Prompto leaned back, lifting a gloved hand, fingers outstretched so that he was looking at moon and sky between them. "You know, I don't remember seeing the stars before we left."
"Yeah," Noctis agreed softly, "with all the lights on at night, the streets are lit up like the middle of the day."
"The city that never sleeps." Prompto replied wistfully, "I guess Insomnia doesn't need stars."
"We'll go camping again." Noctis said, almost to himself, "Even if it's ten years from now. We'll all get to sleep on the stupid hard ground, listen to Gladio snoring, and see the stars one more time."
"That would be nice." Prompto put his hand back down, fingers accidentally brushing Noctis's, but neither of them moved away. The warmth and closeness of the other was comforting in the chilly night air.
Ignis had just finished up after the meal, making sure all of the utensils were cleaned and packed away just as he liked. Gladiolus was sitting by the fire, feet propped up on one of the coolers, and staring into the dancing flames. Ignis sat in the chair next to him, the fire a barrier between them and the other two across the campsite.
"I see they're having a moment." He nodded in Noctis's and Prompto's direction, just outside the ring of low firelight.
Gladiolus grunted in agreement, tossing Ignis a beer, and popping his own open. "Calm down fairy godmother, there's no hand holding yet."
Ignis popped the tab on his own beer, raising it to Gladiolus, "Yet, I see we both agree on that bit at the very least."
Gladiolus snorted, taking a long draw out of his can. "I never said it wasn't going to happen, I just said they're both stupid about it."
Ignis shook his head and chuckled, "I suppose you are correct about that."