It was Monday morning, and Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum and Ignis Scientia were getting ready for the first day of school. Noct was in the sixth grade this year; Ignis, the eighth. They had been best friends almost since the instant they set eyes on each other, and despite a two-year age difference, they were as close as any two friends could be.

But something had changed this year to make the gap feel wider: Ignis had added shaving to his morning routine.

Standing beside the taller boy in front of the bathroom mirror, Noctis gazed at his friend's reflection in fascination as Ignis whipped up some foam between his hands, then used it to lather his cheeks and neck. Noct couldn't help but notice Ignis's cheekbones were becoming more prominent, his jawline sharper than it had been last school year. He looked less like a boy than a young man now.

The prince watched with baited breath as Iggy lifted his razor, turning his head this way and that as he slowly drew it along his neck and then across his cheeks, rinsing the blade after each stroke to free it of froth and hair. After he'd finished, he used a damp cloth to wipe away the remaining shaving cream. Their eyes met in the mirror, and Ignis smiled.

Noctis felt inexplicably embarrassed. He worried that Ignis was growing up faster than he was, that Iggy was smiling at him as an adult would smile at a cute child. He wasn't sure he understood why, but he didn't want Ignis to look at him that way.

The prince was reaching for the shaving cream before he even knew what he was doing and started putting it on. He lifted his chin and tried to appear nonchalant, feigning the same confidence Ignis naturally exuded. He was thrilled when he felt Ignis's eyes on him through the mirror as the blond boy dried his face. He said, trying to sound casual in spite of the way his heart raced, "I forgot my razor this morning. Can I borrow yours, Iggy?"

It was nearly impossible for Ignis to keep a straight face. There was something precious about the young prince trying to keep pace with him and acting like a grownup.

Ignis discreetly snapped the guard onto his razor blade and then held it out to the prince. But when Noctis reached for it, he didn't give it to him. Instead he offered, "Would you care for my assistance, Highness?"

Noct looked at him warily. "Why?" he asked, fearful his ruse had been discovered.

"Well, you are the crown prince," Ignis answered without hesitation. "It is a servant's duty to groom His Highness." He stepped closer to Noct.

Noct seemed embarrassed. "Yeah, but…we're friends."

"We are best friends, Highness, but I am also your servant. Now—chin up!"

Swallowing visibly, Noctis leaned his head back, his eyes meeting Ignis's. Ignis smiled down at him and slowly drew the razor along the prince's throat. It tickled, but Noct's heart was hammering so hard with nervousness he didn't even flinch. The way Ignis was smiling at him now didn't make him feel like a child.

The capped blade stroked safely over Noct's neck and cheeks again and again, in slow, sure motions. It was over too soon, and Ignis wiped Noct's face the same as he had his own, then he cupped the younger boy's face and stroked Noct's cheek with his thumb. "Smooth as a baby's bottom," he complimented.

Noct's cheeks flushed with pride.

Next Ignis reached for a small bottle. "Did you forget your aftershave, too, Highness?" he asked in a sincere tone.

"Uh…yeah," Noct answered with uncertainty.

Ignis opened the tiny bottle, touched his fingers to its mouth, and caught a few drops of the scented liquid. It smelled good—manly. He gently dabbed some onto Noct's face, then his own. When he'd finished, he screwed the lid back onto the bottle, set it back on the counter, then adjusted his glasses and, finally, straightened his tie.

"Ready for school, Prince Noctis?" he asked.

Noct nodded. "Yeah." His fingers twitched, but they were grownups now; holdings hands with his best friend on their way to school was just for little kids. But…for some reason, he was still disappointed. Maybe being a grownup wasn't so great, after all.

The prince followed Ignis out of the bathroom and down the upstairs hallway. The boys picked up their backpacks along the way, but at the top of the steps, Ignis reached out and took a firm hold on Noct's fingers. As Noctis followed Ignis's descent down the curving staircase, his face was warm, but his heart was light.