Author's Note:

Riku: Here we are with the 3rd chapter! Let's keep on going with Noctis's and Prompto's journey to this gala!

On the eve of the gala Noctis had arranged a Crownsguard car to pick up Prompto a few hours ahead of time so they could prepare together. He has already taken a shower to start doing his hair, and now he just had to wait for Prompto to get here. The wait was already killing him, but he knew that it wouldn't be much longer.

Prompto meanwhile was at his house, pacing back and forth. Noctis had texted him that he would be picked up shortly so he could prepare for the gala, but it didn't make him any less nervous. He had a million thoughts racing through his head and he couldn't calm them in any way. He was just going to have to show up to Noctis as a blubbering mess of a person, and only hope that Noctis would forgive him.

The moment Prompto arrived, Noctis hurried over to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "You're here, come on, we have so much to take care of before the gala. You'll be such a great addition to this party."

"We gotta do everything right before the party?" Prompto asked. "Like the suits and everything?"

"Yes, we do everything before the party. We'll go from dinner to the dance with only a little bit of time between. Are you alright with some makeup?"

"Makeup? We have to actually wear makeup?" Prompto gasped.

Noctis shook his head at that. "Oh, no, you don't have to. I do it because. . . well, prince. So, I wanted to offer if I'm going to be doing it," he said with a quick shrug.

"Oh... well if you are doing it, I guess I could give it a try," Prompto replied. "You can show me how it's done."

"Alright, I won't make you lose those freckles though. I bet someone will really adore them on you."

Prompto blushes. "I don't think freckles are really all that attractive... but thanks."

"I bet there are plenty of people who find them wonderful. Don't write them off. But, I guess, if you want, we can cover them up. I know enough to make it happen." Noctis said as he considered that.

"Wait! You actually know how to do it? I thought you would have makeup butlers or maids or something to do that."

Noctis groaned at that. "Originally, yes. But I just, I hate people touching me like that. So I made Ignis teach me how to do it, so I could be left alone."

"Oh, wow! I never knew that! Well let's get to it! Show me your makeup magic!"

That got a laugh out of him. "Okay, come on. We need to change into most of the tux before makeup. I'm not risking makeup getting smeared by putting on a shirt." He sounded a lot like Ignis when he said that.

"Alright!" Prompto laughed. "You just lead the way, and I'll follow!"

"You got it. I had them deliver the tux here, so, you- the bathroom first. Change into the undershirt, shirt, and slacks and socks right now." Noctis advised. "Put the socks on first. Learn from my mistakes."

"Okay, socks first. Got it. I can do that," Prompto said before heading into the bathroom in Noctis's room.

Noctis took the few moments alone to quickly change into his tux, throwing his clothes toward the laundry basket to just annoy Ignis in the future. Once he was done changing, he waited semi-patiently to see how great Prompto would look in a fitted tux.

Prompto stepped out of the bathroom, dressed as Noctis had instructed him. "Okay... so now what?"

"Come sit with me. Anything, beyond freckles apparently, you'd like to do to your face? Like, slim it down, enhance the eyes, or show off the jaw?" Noctis asked while pulling out a large makeup kit.

Prompto shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever you think is best for me."

Noctis gave a little smirk at that. "That could be a dangerous option. But I'll do my best. Just sit as still as possible."

Prompto nodded, moving over to a chair and sat down. He breathed in and closed his eyes. "Okay I'm ready."

"I've got you." Noctis said softly as he gently cupped Prompto's face and started to apply the makeup gently. He couldn't help the look of adoration on his face, glad to have closed eyes to prevent being caught.

Prompto giggled a little. "You're tickling my face!"

"Dude, you're gonna mess me up." He laughed. "You'll get used to it soon enough, promise."

"Alright, alright," Prompto straightened out. "I'll be calm."

"I really don't want to poke your eye when we get to the eye liner."

"That sounds pretty painful."

"Learn from my pain. That's partially why I learned it myself. I hated trying to not move too much for the artists and kept getting stabbed."

"Ahh, gotcha. Well I'll be as still as a statue for you."

"Thanks. I want to make you look good for tonight." Noctis did as Prompto asked and covered up the scattering of freckles on his face before giving him some contouring and then slowly highlighted his eyes and lined them.

"Okay, look in the mirror. I think I did pretty good."

Prompto blinked as he looked at his own reflection. His mouth dropped open as he continued to stare with awe. "Wow. Like wow, that... I look totally different."

Noctis smiled. "But you still look like you to me. Now you can relax some while I do mine real fast."

"Alright, and then we get the rest of the suits put on and everything?"

"No. Then we do hair. I did promise that I would make you look great for the gala."

"My hair too? Like it's gotta be all neat and combed? Is it really going to make me that great?" Prompto asked as he ran his fingers through his hair, examining himself in the mirror.

"I mean, just a bit of a style, sure. Nothing too crazy." Noctis sat down in front of the mirror so he could do his makeup with some practiced ease. "Could help you find those girls you were talking about."

"Girls?" Prompto asked, raising an eyebrow. "O-Oh girls. Yeah! Totally! Hopefully I'll get lucky tonight."

"Hopefully. We will see." He finished up his makeup quickly and put away everything. "Okay, hair, which I bet you'll be able to help out with."

"How can I help?"

"Well, you know how to do your hair, right? So, we can do it together."

"Oh. I guess so."

Prompto took a comb from the countertop and began to comb his hair the way he usually did it.

Noctis handed over a few jars of different things and sprays so he could talk Prompto through doing his hair. He did his best to keep from laughing at some of the expressions and flailing he did. He did joke around some to keep him less tense as they worked.

"Okay! Is it done already? How much spray is going in my hair! It'll take hours to wash out!"

"Only three." Noctis teased. "And we're done. Now you can put the rest of the suit on. Though I have a present for you."

"A present?" Prompto asked as he got up from his chair. He then went to get the rest of his suit put on.

"Nothing fancy, just a little something." Noctis promised as he also shrugged on the rest of his suit and tied the bow tie. He pulled out the box and handed it over to Prompto quickly.

Prompto reached out and took the box, looking over it carefully. He then opened it and picked up what was inside. "Tiny... skulls? Are these like earrings?"

"They're cufflinks, to help add a little bit of interest to your tux." Noctis explained. "Do you... not like them?"

"No! I mean they are cool! I just don't know what you do with cufflinks," Prompto sighed, looking down at them. "They are really cool though."

"Oh, let me help you with them. It helps keep your sleeves closed and stuff. Mostly, they're decorative now." Noctis took one of the cufflinks and carefully inserted them instead of the generic ones on Prompto's suit.

"Ah I see! Well that is totally awesome! The little skulls, it makes us look pretty tough, heh," Prompto said as he chuckled, noticing that Noctis's suit had them too.

"Hey, gotta match with the bestie. We are pretty tough. Nothing can take us down." Noctis laughed as he held out his fist for a fist bump.

Prompto met his fist bump and grinned widely. "Ever at your side, Noct."

"And I'm better for it. Come on, let's go get through this gala, then an evening of video games."

"Sounds great! Let's go!" Prompto said before heading out of the door. "Lead the way!"

Noctis smiled and led them out of his room to head toward the grand dining room being used this evening for dinner. He took them over to a small side room before they entered the row of people at the doors. "I'll get announced separately once everyone is in along with Dad. I imagine you'd prefer to go in with Ignis instead."

Prompto stared down at the floor. "Oh... I thought I was going to get announced with you or something. Like your guest of honor. But Ignis is good! I'll stick with him then."

"No, if you'd rather be announced you can! I just- I didn't want to overwhelm you with that."

"I um... I don't know. I don't think I would really want to have everyone staring at me, but I thought we were together on this. You know, sticking together and stuff?"

"We are sticking together, but, I thought this might be a lot for you. This would be the one part, we aren't together. You're seated at my left side for dinner, and any seats we have, you're always on my left." Noctis said in a quick flurry of words.

"O-Oh," Prompto mumbled. "I guess then one moment by myself wouldn't be the worst. It's just walking until we sit, right?"

"Yes, pretty much. Then, once Dad and I are announced, I'll be right by your side again." Noctis promised.

"Okay," Prompto breathed in deeply. "I can do that then."

"And, I promise, even then, you won't be alone. Ignis promised he would stick close till I'm there." Noctis worked to get himself back to the proper mindset to deal with the gala.

"Okay. Sounds good then. I'll see you in a bit."

"I'll see you in no time. Go be the smartest dressed person in the whole room." Noctis said with a smile.

Prompto gave on in return. "You go for it." After that he heard Noctis announced and he left to head into the other room. Now all Prompto had to do was wait for Ignis to show up so he could get out there and be with Noctis again.

Ignis was quick to join Prompto at that point, giving him a quick look before smiling in his slight way. "Nice cufflinks. Are you ready to be seated and attend your first gala?"

"I think so. I still feel a bit nervous," Prompto muttered as he looked down at his cufflinks. He smiled at them and started to feel a bit more at ease.

"Nerves are to be expected. I know I was nearly shaking the first time I attended a gala." Ignis confessed as he straightened his coat and left the room. "You have learned well with how little time we had. I know you will do well tonight."

"What? You? Nervous? No way!" Prompto exclaimed. "And you think so? I'm trying to keep all that info together, but I feel like it's falling apart."

"You've been an excellent student. I know this is all new to you, but I have full confidence you will be a mark of pride to your family and to Noctis. And yes, I was nervous, I was also thirteen at the time, if that helps your legend of me." Ignis replied ruefully, a little smirk on his lips.

Prompto started to laugh. "Still hard to imagine, but I'll take your word for it."

"I'll let you enjoy your imagination. Come, we have dinner to enjoy." Ignis replied as he held out his hand to Prompto to guide him to his seat.

"Alright. I can do this," Prompto breathed in before taking Ignis's hand.

Ignis had no trouble walking through the crowd to the entrance of the dining room. Then he made sure to guide Prompto safely to the seat Noctis had demanded, full of symbolism and everything.