Prompto couldn't focus on class for the rest of the day, thoughts of his new friendship devouring his attention. It was a strange sort of fate, and Prompto couldn't shake the electric excitement that tingled all over his skin. He didn't imagine that he would make a friend in high school, much less this year. It was easier to be left alone so no one would ever realize how different he was, and while that problem didn't disappear with Noctis, something told him that Noctis wouldn't care – or at least, was too important to ask about his life.

It would be nice to just have a friend. Perhaps it would improve his reputation – though he wasn't sure what to think about that. Noctis was the quintessential guy from tv sit coms – tall (okay, not really), dark and handsome, a jock, loved by the ladies, rich – but Noctis never let that go to his head. Mainly because he was a prince, likely, though he never seemed to let his royalty inflate him either. Mainly, he seemed aloof, almost tired. Definitely tired, if his napping in class record was anything to go by.

A pang of sadness hit Prompto as he recalled Noctis's words. "Not even sports gets me out of it anymore." Noctis had been active in extracurricular activities in middle school, but ever since coming to high school he had faded to the background. His friend wanted to play sports and hang out with his peers, but his duties as prince dragged him away for training. Suddenly, Prompto wanted to be Noctis' friend with a new passion he never felt before… anything to make sure no one felt as lonely as he did, alone in his studio apartment with a camera and loud vacancy.

It didn't escape Prompto's notice that he thought of Noctis as a friend already. That made him feel… good. That thought carried him throughout the day, the slow moving hands on the clock being of hope rather than slow dread.

He was the first one out of class as the final bell rang, and he had no reason to stop by his locker as he had prepared before last period. Prompto crossed the school in a jiffy and soon enough found the lone vehicle, a limo, on the east side. Now he had to wait, hopping from one foot to the other as he struggled to contain his excitement. A friend, finally a friend. Noctis, the boy who he had wanted to be friends with for years. It was a rare thing in life that worked out so well – and that thought worried him itself. This might not work out, but he wasn't going to throw away this chance.

After a few moment, he heard his name being called from the car. "Prompto, over here!"

Prompto winced. He was an idiot. The prince was already in the car waiting on him. He rushed over and slipped through the door that Noctis had left open for him.

The inside of the car was spacious, and made Noctis look small, almost childlike, in comparison. The contrast was amplified by his white gym shirt that fit him loosely compared to his usual dark jacket and jeans. It was a new look for Noctis, cute even, in contrast to his usual ominous darker clothing. He was covered in sweat, one of the unlucky few to have gym for last period in the beating sun of the afternoon.

Prompto felt a smile spread slowly on his face, excited in a way he couldn't explain. And then he felt stupid, just sitting there on his knees, looking at his friend. "I…" he paused to close to door behind him and sit on his rear. "Sorry for being late," he mumbled as he put on his seatbelt.

"No problem," Noctis muttered sleepily. His eyes opened and closed as if he was struggling to stay awake. "Prompto, meet Ignis. Ignis, Prompto," he said.

Prompto assumed he was talking about the driver. "Nice to meet you," he said to the man in the driver seat. He seemed only a few years older than them.

"It's nice to see the prince has made a friend."

Noctis groaned, but Prompto could only grin.

The limo pulled off.

The ride was smoother that Prompto expected, his only experience in a vehicle being on school buses and vague memories of the journey to Lucis during his childhood. The smooth ride didn't stop him from feeling shocked that Noctis didn't bother to buckle up. Noctis sat in his seat alternating between leaning towards Prompto like he had a secret to tell and leaning back in his seat, struggling to keep his eyes open.

After some time, Noctis spoke. "Sorry, I usually take a nap on the ride home."

"Oh, it's fine. Go on ahead," Prompto said. Then a thought popped into his head. He held up his camera. "I'll just look through the photos I took today. Don't blame me if I snap a pic or two of the sleeping prince." He gave Noctis a wink to let him know he didn't really intend to do it – okay, maybe he did, but he wasn't going to be weird about it.

"Go ahead," Noctis mumbled, and then he was out like a light.

Prompto took a moment to study Noctis, snoozing quietly. The sound of his breath was soothing, and Prompto let his eyes close as he listened to it. It was comforting in a way, like a heartbeat or the sound of the falling rain.