Part 2

"Okay everyone, big smiles now. Just like you would have out playing in the snow."

His co-worker nodded towards Prompto who turned on small blowers to whip up the fake snow to cry and create some appearance of falling snow. It was a kind of joke of a job, was easy enough though - take photos of a dumb snow globe attraction for the festive period. It was mostly families who wanted snowy, happy looking cards for family and friends. Especially since they happened to live in a country that got no snow, even in winter.

"This job is so simple. Any idiot could do it."

"Are you saying I'm an idiot?" Prompto asked, the dislike for his co-worker, his name was Lydus or something like that, completely bottoming out. He looked up suddenly, as though not realising that he had said.

"Eh, what. No, sorry. I'm just saying. Face it, you know as well as I do this is a complete scam and anybody who actually falls for it is stupid," the guys face was bright red as he tried to backpedal his previous statement and turn it around into something positive - it wasn't really working and Prompto had a feeling that he wasn't really going to get on well with the guy.

"Well those stupid people pay our wages; I don't think you can complain too much."

The conversation was cut short as some people showed up, actually wanting to get their photos taken and Prompto was relegated to watching how his bitchy co-worker did everything. It was mostly a case of telling people where to sit or how to act and to look happier. Simple.

Prompto had the job for only around a week and had already got used to standing up for his entire shift (for some reason the stupid pop up stand couldn't even provide chairs for its employees) and dealing with the other torn faced employees. It wasn't exactly ah he would call fun, but it was also only two months and to be paid pretty decently for doing almost nothing all day, he couldn't exactly complain that much about it all.

It was kind of boring between customers has, he had been strictly told not to have his phone out since they needed to look as approachable as possible and sitting on his phone would have been unacceptable. Not that either of the pair stuck to that rule and between customers, both sat scrolling since they weren't up for talking to each other.

"Hey, fancy getting us something to drink," Lydus asked Prompto after a while of them sitting about doing nothing.

"Oh, okay." Lydus handed him some money, pointed to the small coffee stand and told Prompto what he wanted before going back and staring into space.

It really wasn't what he was expecting from the job, a lot more photo taking was involved, still he was getting paid for doing very little - why was there any reason to be disappointed. Sure his co-worker might have been a little questionable . . . Naff, but it wasn't all bad.

Trying to keep his slight disappointment and annoyance inside, Prompto walked over to the coffee place repeating the order in his brain. He knew what he wanted but the other order had been thrown at him so fast that it really hadn't stuck. Still, it would be the guys own fault for not just doing it himself or generally being nicer about the whole situation.

"Hi, what can I get you."

Prompto rhymed off the orders to the cashier, his eyes drifting to the few staff behind the counter who looked equally as bored as he felt in his job. At least he wasn't the only one, though they all looked bored with customers – Prompto at least had an excuse to look bored shitless since he, for the most part, didn't have much to do in work.

Except for being bored shitless.

Moving down the queue and looking towards the seating adjacent from the stand, Prompto couldn't help but wish he could just sit down there for a little while instead of having to stand around all day – but no, just in case one of the managers chose to show their faces (which was highly unlikely) they had to stand there for however long his shift ended up being.

"Here's your order."

Prompto snapped back to reality, looking up at who had addressed him. Noct looked miles too tired to be there, definitely past bored and before he could stop himself;

"Having fun?"

Noct looked confused. "What?"

Prompto mentally cringed.

"Uhm, sorry. You just looked a little . . ." he trailed off, shouldn't have bothered saying anything. Would have saved him the embarrassment of trying to start a conversation with a stranger who clearly didn't want to be spoken to.

"Bored . . ." Noct dropped his voice. "A little. But you're not allowed to say."

Prompto couldn't help but laugh, nodding. "Yeah, I'll say. I'm working at the photography place and . . . you wouldn't imagine how boring it is."

The guy nodded before opening his mouth to talk –

"Hey, Noct."

Noct whipped around and walked over leaving Prompto alone. Picking up his drinks, he walked back to the stall, handing one of Lydus. At least he definitely wasn't the only one in the world who was bored and already 100% done with their job – it was a comfort.

Noct really couldn't with his job – he'd had it for all of a week or so and already wanted to quit. People were rude and pushy, demanding too much and then annoyed as heck when things went wrong. Noct wasn't cut out for working with people as he had discovered – at the end of every shift he just wanted to murder at least one person. Usually, some Karen who was just that extra bit demanding that just pushed a bit too far or a bit too hard or just generally was rude.

Yeah, it wasn't fun.

He much preferred being on till duty, that way he wasn't the responsible one when things went wrong since all he had to do was take money and tell the order to whoever was making them. Plus, he got yelled at way less when somebody got the wrong order.

"Hey Noct, go for your break the now. Ainsley will take over."

He didn't bother replying as he signed off the till and headed into the back, hanging up his apron and grabbing his bag to look at his phone. There wasn't any point in going far since all he had was half an hour to do nothing so instead, he went and sat at the seating are for the place, tucking himself into a corner out of the way. It was actually surprisingly busy since more people were now out and about, getting presents and hiding from the cold outside. There were only a few tables available, flopping down into one of the empty ones – Noct began scrolling through notifications on his phone, pretending he didn't have to go back to work in half an hour.

"Hey, do you mind if I sit here."

Noct looked up at the person who spoke to him – the same blonde who had tried to crack a joke the other week when he was 100% not checked in mentally.

"Sure . . ." he was a little confused to as why, but a quick glance around confirmed his suspicions. It was simply the last seat left in the place – it was really busy. Probably the busiest it had been in a long time. Prompto sat, pulling his own phone out the and pair sat in silence, each absorbed in their own digital worlds. Eventually, growing bored with scrolling, Noct booted up the only game on his phone, idly going through notifications and playing some casual rounds – it wasn't for a little while that he looked up and caught the eye of his tablemate. It could have just been a coincidence that they happened to look up at the exact same time – but something told Noct that it couldn't be the case . . . was he being watched?

At the same time Noct noticed Prompto looking at him, Prompto noticed the same thing, choosing then to look away which only served to raise Noct's suspicions that he was, in fact, being watched – which totally wasn't creepy at all. No, not at all.

"Sorry," Prompto said quickly and Noct frowned.

"Why?"

"I was . . . I play too." Prompto gestured to Noct's phone and smiled sheepishly. Noct nodded, more to confirm his own suspicions. He didn't mind that Prompto had been watching him, it actually made him feel better that he had admitted it since it would be way less awkward than him denying it and then leaving Noct with the feeling that he was being watched without any confirmation.

It was a whole thing.

"You should add me," Prompto said holding up his phone and smiling brightly. "Doesn't hurt to have more friends on there right?"

"Um, yeah, I guess." Noct definitely wasn't expecting that but went along with it anyway because it really didn't mean all that much in the long run. Plus, it made Prompto smile and for some reason, even in the short time that they had been sharing a table, Noct found himself somewhat enamoured with the blonde's smile – it was so easy and effortless. Not like his own, which, even when genuine, seemed a little forced.

He just wasn't the most smiley of people.

"Ah shit," Prompto exclaimed suddenly catching Noct off guard. "Better get back to work, eh."

"Oh, yeah . . ." Noct replied, he was nearly done with his break too – honestly if he could just go home that would be great but sadly, he had another few hours of work. Which honestly kind of sucked, hopefully it wouldn't be terrible. A thought suddenly struck Noct as his table mate began to walk away. "What's your name?"

"Oh . . . Prompto."

"I'm Noctis."

Prompto smiled and nodded before disappearing back to taking photos of people in a fake snow globe - god it was a gaudy thing to have to look at all day since it was basically directly in front of the coffee stand. But at the same time, it was fun, in a weird totally non-stalkerish way, to watch Prompto be totally in his element. Taking photos and interacting with people, instructing them on how to act or whatever it was. Making kids smile or something like that. Activities that Noct would never be able to do - he didn't hate people so much as could do without them.

Working in the coffee stall was more than enough stranger interaction. Still, it did make the rest of the day pass somewhat faster which wasn't a bad thing at all.

There were a few upsides to the job as Prompto discovered – one was that a lot of the time, his shifts were very short, on the 4 to 5 hour range and sometimes less depending on how busy it had been (which usually wasn't very with people only coming around every now and again – which got really tedious after a short while). It wasn't often that Prompto had a later shift – well as late at 6pm was – so it was a little unusual to be heading towards the bus station in the dark rather than in the middle of the afternoon where it was still somewhat bright out.

Just was Prompto finished setting everything down for the night, he noticed Noct heading away from his work. Shoving last things into his back, Prompto jogged after Noct calling his name. Noct, who apparently was lost in his own world, jumped when he heard his name being called but still paused when he saw Prompto running towards him.

"That you done for the day as well?" Prompto asked cheerily.

"Uh, yeah," Noct replied a little lamely, Prompto could clearly see the bags under his eye and couldn't help but think that he could do with some more sleep. "Were you working long?"

"From around 3 today, the other guy finished early for once. What about you?"

"Oh, um, I started at 12. Was asked to come in early . . ."

The conversation kind of trailed off after that, lapsing into a little silence. "You heading this way?" Prompto kind of gestured towards the direction of the bus station.

"Yeah I am."

"Cool I'll walk down with you."

Noct didn't really have any way to reject the idea or any reason to for that matter – so the two set off through the nearly deserted shopping centre towards the bus station. The longer opening hours hadn't quite kicked in yet which both Prompto – who couldn't imagine being stuck at the stall for longer than 6pm – and Noct – who generally didn't want to work if he could help it – was not exactly looking forward to.

And that was on top of the shitty weather and darkness and other general unpleasantries about winter.

Prompto kept his more or less one sided conversations pretty light, work, weather and the game he and Noct now played mutually on their phones. After all, it was only a few minutes' walk and there was nothing Prompto hated more than anything was awkward silence – he couldn't help it.

"What bus do you get home?"

"Sorry?"

"What bus is it you get home?" Prompto repeated.

"Oh, I don't get the bus, I get the subway, I live up the back of town."

Prompto nodded. "That's fine."

The two continued to walk in silence a little bit more, Prompto pulling out his phone to scroll through things that he had missed throughout his shift and replying to any messages he had got. Stepping outside Prompto looked up at the sky, the clouds covered the stars and a slight wind blew through his jacket - Prompto shivered and sighed.

"Why is winter so cold and depressing."

"I dunno, but I wish it wasn't," Noct replied offhand, shoving his hands deep in his jacket pockets as though the weather itself had deeply offended him in some way (which, a lot of time, it felt like it really had - especially during the winter).

"Have you ever seen the video of the guy ranting about the weather, but it just kind of devolves into a rant about society and stuff, it's pretty funny," Prompto offered as they walked around the building towards the subway entrance and the bus stop.

"I don't think I have."

"I'll send it to you when I get home," Prompto said smiling, they had reached the steps down to the subway. "Do you have messenger?"

"No, I don't really use social media, to be honest," Noctis replied looking a little sheepish under the harsh lights of the subway entrance. "I can give you my number, I use a messaging app. You can send me it over that."

"Oh yeah okay."

The two swapped numbers before Prompto watched Noctis disappear down the steps of the subway with a small wave. The blonde then proceeded to run down the street towards his bus stop as it drove by as he stood about adding Noctis' name to his contacts.

Having to run for a bus was probably one of Prompto's least favourite things to do – he was 100% convinced that the driver would watch anybody who was running and then move just as they came up to the doors. He had no particular reason as to why but maybe the bus drivers needed some sort of mad kicks and it was their form of revenge for having to deal with the general disruptive public.

Blessedly, for once, he managed to make it to the bus without it driving away on him and when he was seated, he was pleasantly surprised to find out that it had wi-fi on board. Not particularly good wi-fi but enough that he could send Noct the video ahead of when he said he could (yay technology).

Prompto: [18:34] Thus bus had wi-fi!

Prompto: [18:34] The* xD

Prompto: [18:37] This was the video I was talking about

He quickly inserted the link and sent it to Noctis, he somewhat figured that his conversation partner might not have wi-fi and wouldn't be able to watch it, or just wouldn't reply to him at all. After all, Prompto knew not everybody had their phones out all the time and half expected it to be in maybe a day or to that he would get a response.

He was wrong, a few moments later he could feel his phone vibrating in his pocket. Pulling it out he opened the messaging app.

Noctis: [18:40] Very funny

Noctis: [18:41] Hnestly a bit of a mood

Laughing to himself, because, honestly, Noctis was 100% correct, he typed out a quick reply to the message.

Prompto: [18:43] I know rightQ

Prompto: [18:44] Right* FFs xD Cant write, keep getting bumped about

Which was true enough, for some reason the driver of the bus seemed intent on dipping into every pothole on the road causing Prompto to be jostled around furiously as he tried to type anything on his phone (autocorrect might have come in handy).

Noctis: [18:46] I'm currently squished

Attached was a picture of the window of the subway that Prompto could just make out Noctis's figure squished between two other people on the seats, his facial expression was a little difficult to make out properly but if Prompto was to take a wild guess – he would assume Noct was pretty miffed about being squished into a small space.

Noctis [18:47]: I was sitting here first, they decided to sit even though there is barely enough space x_x

Prompto let out a laugh, looking around quickly to make sure nobody was staring at him – but there were only a few other people on the bus and most of them were staring into space or had headphones in, oblivious to other noises outside their sphere. So it was all fine.

Prompto: [18:49] Aw man, can't say I envy you

Noctis: [18:51] I feel like a sardine x_x

Prompto: [18:51] You got many more stops?

Noctis: [18:53] Nah, just the 2 blessedly

Prompto: [18:54] That's not too bad

Noctis: [18:56] You nearly home

Prompto: [18:57] No, got half an hour or so left. Not bad, nice and quiet

For the most part, Prompto didn't mind not living in town and having to get the bus in for his job, it wasn't that long a bus ride and the route he got always emptied out about halfway through since his stop was one of the last.

But at the same time, in the dark and the cold, it felt like much longer going home and he couldn't wait to be indoors with the heating on and not needing to go out again for the night. So, there was that to look forward too.

Noctis: [18:57] That's good . . . I think

Noctis: [18:58] You gonna do much this evening?

Prompto: [19:00] Probably catch on stuff I recorded . . . or sleep xD Got a day off tomorrow which is nice. You?

Noctis: [19:01] Sleep, definetly sleep. You're lucky to have a day off. Wish I did

He couldn't help the smile that crossed his face

Prompto: [19:01] When is your next day off?

Noctis: [19:03] Not for a couple of days, wednesday or thurday I thonk

Noctis: [19:03] Think*

For some small reason, the fact that Noct chose to correct think rather than Thursday entertained him. No particular reason why, it just did.

Prompto: [19:05] I wish I had a day off midweek rather than at the beginning. Long weekends are kind of evil

Noctis: [19:06] Any day off is a good day off

Prompto: [19:07] Yeah, I suppose that's true

Prompto: [19:07] I shouldn't complain too much xD

He stopped getting any messages from Noct after that and Prompto assumed that he probably had got off the subway and was heading home. He didn't mind, pocketing his phone again, Prompto stared out of the window for the rest of the way home. In the dark he forgot where the bus went through and everything looked much more ominous with only the streetlights lighting up small parts of the road and paths.

Eventually, the bus got to his stop and Prompto walked the short five minutes between it and his home, it was much windier and colder than it had been in town and he couldn't help but be thankful he was only a short distance otherwise he would have been way more pissed about the weather and the cold in general.

Once safe inside from the cold, Prompto pulled his jacket off, taking his phone from his pocket and setting it on top of the shoe rack. After hanging up his jacket, he noticed his phones message light flashing at him.

Noctis [19:15]: You're allowed to complain. What else are we meant to do all day?

Prompto laughed and couldn't help but think that he had made some sort of strange progress that day.

Stayed tuned for part 3
Thank you for reading!