When Prompto heard from Noctis that he would finally be returning to school, he could barely contain his excitement. It felt like it had been months, even if Prompto knew it really hadn't been all that long. Seeing Noctis was all that was on his mind, and he knew once he finally was reunited with him, he could have his sense of normalcy back.

Finally, he could get back to hanging out with Noctis almost every day again. The sense of loneliness that he felt every time he walked home and entered his house could take a backseat. No longer would he dread waking up and heading to school only to spend the entire day in the back corner, avoiding everyone as he tried to blend into the shadows.

Noctis was going to be back, and he could feel happy again.

Sitting by one of the benches outside of the main doors, Prompto's legs were already shaking and bouncing without control. His nerves were too wound up, having stored up all of his worries and anxieties since the previous night. If Noctis didn't show up in a few minutes, Prompto was sure he was going to pop.

Then he saw him.

He saw Noctis entering the school grounds, walking in his direction.

Prompto didn't waste a single second as he jumped to his feet and ran towards his friend. Within a few inches of Noctis, Prompto stretched his arms out and nearly tackled him to the ground in the largest hug he had probably ever given.

"Noct!" he shouted happily.

"Whoa, Prompto!" Noctis said, trying to keep himself from falling over. "Didn't expect to be jumped right when I got back to school."

Immediately, Prompto pulled away, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "S-sorry about that. Guess I couldn't contain myself."

Noctis wasn't one to get angry over little things like that, and thankfully he started smiling as he hugged Prompto in return. "It's okay. If I had your level of energy, I'd probably do the same."

Squeezing Noctis back, Prompto grinned widely. "Yeah, but hey! You are back! Things are back to normal and we can go chilling on the rooftop again!"

"Same time, same place?"

"Of course! They haven't changed lunch since you were gone."

"Oh good, I was worried for a moment they would've replaced it with another class," Noctis snorted.

When Prompto finally pulled away from the hug, he couldn't stop grinning, and it seemed that Noctis couldn't either. It was rare to see Noctis smile for so long, but right now Prompto was savoring every second of this rare 'grinning Noctis' moment.

"We have so much to catch up on! I know we text and stuff, but we need to talk about all the stuff!"

"And what is the stuff?"

Prompto shrugged. "Anything. I just… I want to talk to you again, face to face."

Noctis nodded before the two of them started to walk inside the school building. "Same here. It… It hasn't been the same since I got stuck at the Citadel."

"It really sucked, didn't it? Like, I couldn't even see you when I got trained by Cor! You always had meetings and stuff."

There was another nod. "Yeah… I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be. Not like you can control having to go to those."

"Hm, guess so. But, uh, yeah… so anything new with you?"

"Oh, I could think of a few things I guess," Prompto hummed thoughtfully.

"One of those things being that I got to kiss Nightwing."

The kiss still lingered in his mind. Every moment he started to just relax and space out, the memory would come back to remind it that it had happened. It was real and not a dream. He had in fact kissed Nightwing, and now it sent his feelings spiraling out.

He still hadn't come to a proper resolution on how to handle his mixed feelings now having a crush on Nightwing and Noctis. How was he even supposed to find such a thing?!

Right now, being next to Noctis, he felt the same heart pounding nervousness that he felt when he thought about Nightwing. Both were handsome and sometimes rather mysterious, albeit for different reasons.

"Guess Aranea was right, I really must have a type…"

"So, are you going to tell me any of them? Or are you going to wait until lunch?"

Prompto snapped back to reality, shaking his head to get the fog away. "Oh, uh, guess it could wait. It wasn't anything super big anyway."

"Well, we still have time before class starts. Maybe we could do a round of King's Knight as we think of things to talk about?"

"Sounds like a plan!"

That day school seemed to go on as normal, like those long days of Noctis not being there had never happened. It felt so good to have him back, even when they didn't have any classes together. Prompto knew he would see him by lunchtime, and then they would get an entire period just to relax together.

He was also thankful that no major crimes were happening. No big explosions, and no signs of major supervillains showing up. Everything was peaceful for once, and Prompto could just work on himself. If things continued this way, he could be Prompto and no one else for the rest of the day.

By the time school ended, he headed outside of the school yard to the location he would meet up with Noctis. He sighed as he scrolled through his phone, looking at random articles with clickbait titles. He was trying to find and save the best ones to show Noctis for later, knowing they would get plenty of good laughs out of them.

Most of them were articles relating to video games, movies, or tv shows, but there were always a few that pertained to Noctis himself. Sometimes some of the best clickbait articles to laugh at, were the really dumb ones making up complete nonsense about the prince.

"Here's a good one, '10 Things You Might Not Know about the Prince'. Oh boy, this one will probably be a riot to laugh at."

Looking up from his phone, he still didn't see Noctis coming yet. It was already 20 minutes after school, and by now he should have already shown up.

Prompto sent a quick text, asking if he was okay, and a few minutes later he got a reply. It seemed some of the teachers wanted to talk to Noctis after class, probably wanting to talk about the homework there was to catch up on, or since he was the prince, the teachers were probably trying to convince him he didn't have to do it.

Sighing, he leaned against the light post, trying to search for more articles.

"Hey Niff, all by your lonesome?" someone laughed.

"Prince finally came back only to dump you or something?"

With the hairs on Prompto's neck rising, he tried not to give in to look behind him. Bullies. They were still a problem for him, even if he knew how to handle it now. He could easily fight them off, but then it would only perpetuate the hate they have for him, giving them more reason to make Niff insults and spread rumors around the school.

"Hey I'm talking to you!"

Prompto's senses started reacting, and instinctively he moved out of the way, turning around to see that one of the bullies had tried to grab him.

"What do you want?" Prompto asked. "Can't you just leave a guy alone?"

"Not when it concerns a Niff," one of them spat. Prompto was sure his name was Aaron, but he didn't really care to memorize the names of anyone who picked on him.

"Yeah! You're just a piece of trash who won't go away," the other, Jackson, scoffed.

Prompto shut his phone off, shoving it into his jacket pocket. "And yet you don't need to even bother with me. You aren't going to scare me."

"But you're still just Niff scum. It baffles us why the prince even hangs out with you," Aaron said as he stepped forward.

Slowly, Prompto started to back up. If he turned and ran, they would no doubt follow him. They were off school property now, so anything they wanted to do no teacher could stop them. Even if he ran towards the school, he couldn't guarantee that a teacher would be nearby to help him.

"And why does it matter? Noct can be friends with whoever he wants, and he prefers people who aren't assholes!"

"Yeah, but why a Niff? That's what we can't understand," Aaron said as he came closer.

Jackson nodded along with his friend. "The prince should have better taste in friends. No one around here wants a scrawny Niff for a friend."

"And you guys have nothing better to do. Just leave me alone and stop fixating on the fact I look a little different! Get a life already!"

He felt a wall bump up behind him, and looking to his side, he saw he had the street to his left and a dead end alley to his right. He was trapped now unless he really wanted to risk running away, which his mind and body was telling him no.

He could get these bullies off his back. A little bit of strength against them wouldn't be too bad afterall. Just enough to keep them from bothering him ever again.

"Maybe you need some after school lessons on not pissing us off," Aaron said as he started cracking his knuckles.

"And maybe you need some lessons in human decency," Prompto spat back, feeling his sense of confidence rising.

"Alright! Now you asked for it!" Aaron said as he swung his fist towards Prompto.

Instantly, Prompto caught the fist, stopping it inches from his face. The bullies both stared, complete and utter shock was written all over their faces.

He smirked. "I was asking for what now?"

"You smug little shit," Jackson growled.

He tried to grab Prompto by the shoulder, but just like before, Prompto snatched the hand.

"I don't think this is really going to go anywhere. So best to stop while you're ahead, not that you've ever been ahead," Prompto laughed.

"Okay, Prompto. Maybe you should tone down the snark. Don't really want to have to fight these guys," he thought to himself.

"Where'd all this attitude come from, huh?" Aaron asked as he yanked his hand back.

"Yeah, you weren't this cocky last year."

"Well people can change a lot!" Prompto shouted.

"And that's not even touching on the entire Spider-Man thing."

"Come on, Jackson! Let's stop letting the Niff talk to us like this! We'll show him who's boss!"

Both of them reached for Prompto, and to not seem overly suspicious in strength, he held back and let them grab his shoulders. He flinched a little from their tight grips, but he had to let them think they could get away with it, all before pulling a quick get away.

"What are you going to do?" Prompto asked.

"We'll show you what it means to mess with us," Aaron growled.

"Or maybe you could leave him alone!"

Prompto held his breath as he heard Noctis's voice shout over them. Aaron and Jackson quickly let go of Prompto and backed off.

"Y-Your Highness! We were just, uh…" Jackson started to say.

Noctis glared, his eyes fierce. "Just get away from him and never bother him again."

Jackson looked over at his friend. "Yeah, we can do that r-right? Let's get out of here."

Aaron sneered. "No way! I'm not about to kiss up to the prince and do as he says!"

Turning around he faced Prompto again. "I don't care what the prince says. You're still a ugly, little Niff."

With another swing coming in, Prompto finally took the chance to dodge out of the way, letting Aaron's fist collide with the brick wall.

Aaron cursed loudly as he held his hand in the other, glaring daggers towards Prompto. "You'll pay for that. One day, when you don't have your precious prince to protect you. Come on, Jackson, let's go."

The two ran off, and as soon as Prompto and Noctis were alone, Prompto found himself being embraced. He didn't try to push away, instead soaking up warmth from the moment. He always loved giving hugs, but he hardly ever had anyone hug him first, and it was even rarer for Noctis to be giving it.

His heart raced as he hugged Noctis back, wanting to hold on for as long as possible. It still helped remind him that he did have a lot of strong feelings for his friend, even with Nightwing floating around in the back of his mind. Noctis was still someone who he loved, and he wanted to have more moments like this.

"Are you okay?" Noctis asked once they both were sure they were completely alone.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"I seriously thought that they… that you were going… but you just dodged out of the way as it were nothing," Noctis commented. "How'd you learn to do that?"

"I, uh, well that's…"

Prompto's brain started to frazzel as he tried to come up with something plausible. But then he remembered, he did actually have a good reason! It was one he could tell Noctis without having him become suspicious of anything.

"The training with Cor? I've been practicing a lot of what he was teaching. So I guess I just got lucky?"

"Oh, yeah, guess that would help. I'm glad then… I don't know what I would've done if I had gotten here too late."

"Hey, it's not the worst thing to be picked on by those guys. I'm a tough boy! I would still pull through," Prompto replied.

"Yeah, I know… I just don't want them bothering you anymore. Please, tell me if they ever do anything like that again, okay?" Noctis asked after letting go.

Prompto nodded. "Okay, I can do that."

"So, want to go to your house? I'd say arcade, but how about we just chill at your home. Haven't had a chance to go there in a while, and I feel it would be quiet."

"Oh, sure, that sounds good to me. I bought some new snacks to try out recently. Mild and spicy chips."

"You trying to set your mouth on fire again?" Noctis laughed.

"And who says I can't?" Prompto laughed back.

The two started to walk in the direction of Prompto's house. Thankfully, it was a peaceful walk with no one coming to bother either of them. Finally, just another time where Prompto could continue to feel normal and relax with his best friend. Or as normal as it could be with the friend that he still held a major crush for.

"So, uh, I got something I wanna ask," Noctis said once the two of them were flopping down on the couch.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"In like two weeks, we're having some big gala thing, and I'm allowed to have a plus one. And…" Noctis sighed as he looked up to meet Prompto in the eyes. "I was thinking about asking you."

Prompto already started feeling the embarrassment climb into his face. "M-me? You want me to go with you? To a fancy party?"

Noctis nodded, quickly shifting his eyes to look elsewhere. "Yeah… I don't want to ask anyone else. I mean, there's no one else… ugh, I don't know how to say it."

Prompto watched as Noctis buried his face into his hands. Noctis was usually so cool and calm about everything, it was a little strange to see him fumbling. Noctis wasn't supposed to be the one stumbling around like that, it wasn't his thing.

Prompto knew that it was his job to be an idiot between the two of them. Noctis was cool and Prompto was the loveable, goofy idiot.

"Hey, if you need someone there to keep you from going insane, then I'm there," Prompto said.

His lips started to feel dry. A streak of nervousness started to spread across his body. If Noctis was asking him to go to a gala, what were the chances that he was doing it because he liked Prompto in the same way he did for him? He wasn't sure if that was possible, but if now was his chance, he had to try and take it.

He just needed the right thing to ask to try and test it.

"You probably need someone to help talk to the ladies, right? The best and coolest wingman by your side?" he asked, half cringing over over how stupid it sounded.

"I, um, I wasn't thinking about the ladies… but if that's what you want!" Noctis replied quickly, nearly running his words together."

"No! I don't mean that I don't mind that, but I thought maybe that's why you were inviting me?"

Noctis shook his head, now running his hands through his hair. "No, not that at all. I was trying to say that… I rather go with you over anyone else. I don't like these stupid things anwyays, and I'm always so bored there, even with Ignis and Gladio nearby. I just… I want someone there who I know likes being around me… for me."

Scooting a little closer, Prompto carefully reached out his hand. He still had no idea how Noctis was feeling. No idea if he wanted Prompto there just a friend thing, or maybe could be hinting at something more. It wasn't like a casual friend thing to invite another friend to a big fancy party as their plus one anyway!

"Hey, buddy, if you want me to go, then I'll go. I'll save you from all that boredom, okay?" he said, placing his hand on Noctis's shoulder.

"You will?" Noctis asked, lifting his head slightly. "It's not weird or awkward?"

"With you? Nah! Nothing is ever weird or awkward with you! Unless it's having dinner with your dad! Then I am totally going to be freaking out and awkward. Oh em gee! Does the gala include having dinner with your dad? Cause I am not prepared for memorizing the 5,000 spoons you guys have!"

Noctis started laughing, finally sitting back up. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll help you with that."

"Oh! Can we wear matching suits too?" Prompto asked, excitedly.

There was more laughter. "If you want to, I'm sure we could work something out with Ignis."

Prompto grinned. Even if he had yet to come to a conclusion with Noctis and how he could be feeling, he was going to stop it here. It was still too hard to read between the lines, and trying to dig at a deeper meaning behind the words was going to take a lot of effort. So in the meantime he focused on the importance of the now.

He was invited to a gala! And if Prompto had to list places he thought romantic things could happen, a gala was probably in the top 10.

Maybe he did have hope after all, and while that still left him to determine things about Nightwing, he could have a small chance with Noctis.