Prompto laid on his bed one evening, staring at his phone. He had been playing King's Knight with Noctis, chatting random things with him in between dungeons. But then Noctis said he had to go off for a bit, something he said was some private family matter.
Whatever it was, it was taking a long time and Prompto was tired of waiting. He didn't want to play any more King's Knight until Noctis returned since they were in the middle of their favorite level grinding dungeon, so he had resorted to looking up random funny videos on the internet.
He had been watching a funny one with geckos when he heard someone step into his room. Lifting his head he saw his little sister Namine was standing at the end of his bed.
"Oh hey Namine, what's up?"
"What are you doing?"
"Ah was playing games with Noct, but then he had to do something. So I'm waiting."
Namine crawled up onto the bed and scooted closer to Prompto. "Is Noctis your bestest friend? Do you like him?""
Prompto sputtered slightly. Kids were so blunt and direct sometimes. "Y-Yeah of course! He's my best friend, why wouldn't I like him? Don't you like your best friends?"
Namine nodded. "I like all my friends! But you never really had a lot of friends. You never had friends come over to play. Are you going to invite Noctis over to play?"
"Well I don't know about that… he's a Lucis Caelum and I don't know if you can just invite someone like him over to our house."
"Why?"
"Uh cause… cause Lucis Caelums are very important people. Like very famous people."
"But you said Noctis is your friend. Can't you invite friends over? Why does it matter if he's famous? Friends are friends! And bestest friends should come over and play!"
Prompto laughed as he sat up to pat Namine on the head. "Okay, maybe you're right. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask."
"Yay!" Namine cheered as she jumped off the bed. "I'll go tell everyone!"
"W-Whoa wait a minute! I haven't even asked if he can come over yet!"
Namine was already long gone from his room before he could even finish. Of course now all of his little siblings would be excitedly asking him to invite Noctis over, and it would be chaos until it actually happened. He only hoped now that inviting Noctis over would actually be allowed and the two could continue to have fun together.
"Guess I'll find out once Noct replies back to me. I'll ask him right away."
It still took a little while before Noctis texted back, but he finally said that the long, burning meetings were over.
Prompto had replied he was happy for that and was ready to ask his question when he stopped. It felt so awkward just asking it though text. He wanted to make sure he could phrase it the best way possible if he truly was going to invite Noctis over. So instead he hit the video call button and waited for Noctis to pick up.
Seconds later he saw Noctis's face, smiling warmly. "You decided to ring?"
"Yeah, thought why not chat it up face to face. Would make you feel better probably after all that meeting stuff."
"Oh totally. Talking in a meeting sucks, but talking to you? It's great."
"Thanks,' Prompto replied, blushing slightly. "So um, I had a question though."
"A question? What's up?"
"I was wondering if maybe… if it's okay and like, allowed and stuff, if you wanted to come… to my house?"
Noctis's eyebrows raised slightly. "You want me to come to your place?"
"Ah it's stupid, so if you don't like it you can just ignore what I said. But I thought I'd give it a try!"
"No, it's not stupid. I just… no one's ever invited me to their house before."
"Well, guess that means I can be the first?"
"You really want me to come over?"
Prompto nodded. "Yeah! You had me over one day, so I want you to come to my place. Though my house is nothing compared to yours. Plus I got all my siblings that will probably intrude on every moment wanting to ask a million questions. Think you can handle werewolf sibling chaos?"
Noctis started to laugh. "Well it sounds much more interesting than over here. What day were you thinking?"
Prompto shrugged, knowing he hadn't given it much thought. "Whatever works best for you."
"I'll run it by Iggy and see what day would work then. Sounds good?
"Yeah, sounds good."
"So wanna stay on call and hop back into King's Knight?"
"Definitely. You left me hanging and we gotta finish up the dungeon dude!"
"Alright! Then let's get back to it and get that sweet level up!"
For the rest of the evening, the two chatted away as they played their game. They played until it was late enough that they were both being told to stop gaming and go to bed. They said they would, and did end the call and close the game, but it didn't stop them from texting random jokes and memes at each other.
By the next morning, both of them were a little sleepy upon arriving at school. Prompto yawned as he walked over to Noctis, seeing that his friend was pretty much dozing off standing up. Prompto had to admit that was pretty impressive but also cute how calm and relaxed Noctis looked. He was a truly bird boy, capable of sleeping while standing up.
"Yo dude, now's not the time for naps. Save that for lunch."
"If I can make it…" Noctis yawned as he stretched his arms.
"I bet you can do it. If I can survive it, so can you."
"Hmm, guess so. Oh, also asked about hanging out. Any day is good for this week. So wanna do it sooner than later? Or wait for a day when we aren't as tired?"
Prompto shrugged as they entered the school building. He didn't know which he wanted more. To have the immediate hangout with Noctis right after school, or to wait until they were both more awake. Either way he just mainly wanted to spend time with Noctis, no matter how tired he felt. Every moment was special and he was cherishing it all in his heart.
"How about we try for today? But first see how we feel after the school day?"
Noctis yawned while nodding. "Sounds like a good plan."
The two went on to their class to start off the day. It felt like any other day, but now Prompto had a bit of nervous excitement bubbling inside of him. It took all of his strength and energy to keep himself calm and contained during the day. The last thing he wanted was to have his ears and tail pop out in the middle of class. It would be a complete embarrassment if he let that happen.
Somehow he did manage to get through the day, not once letting his rush of emotions get the better of him. Knowing that he was able to keep himself contained, washed out the utter embarrassment he had during his time at Noctis's house. Now that he knew he still had control over that stuff, he didn't feel as bad anymore. He could still be excited without having to have his ears pop out every five minutes.
"So, how're you feeling?" he asked Noctis as they exited the school for today.
"I'm feeling up for after school fun if you are," Noctis replied. "I think I can manage without falling asleep on the floor."
"If you do, you will find yourself surrounded by my siblings. They love a good pack cuddle," Prompto explained.
"And they'll all be home today?"
Prompto shrugged. "The younger ones probably will, unless they are playing at a friend's house. Cloud usually is working from home, and Luna may or may not be there depending on what she is doing."
"Well, guess we just have to go and find out," Noctis said as he pulled out his phone. "Just let me text Ignis to let him know the situation."
Prompto nodded and waited, taking the time to text Cloud to inform him that he was in fact bringing a friend over. After both boys were done texting, they headed out together in the direction of Prompto's house.
There was a small bit of nervousness riding in the back of Prompto's mind as they walked, knowing now that Noctis would see where he lived. He would meet his siblings… his entire pack. It was a worrisome thought to wonder how Noctis would think it, but at the same time he knew it was silly to feel that. Noctis was his friend with an honest and kind soul. He would never harshly judge him in any manner.
"Okay," Prompto breathed out slowly. They had already walked a few blocks, and now we're turning down another street. "So it's just a bit further from here."
"And you walk to and from school every day? How do you manage?" Noctis asked.
"Endurance? It's not that far? Werewolf genes that make walking and running feel easy? Take your pick," Prompto laughed.
"If my family secret wasn't… well you know a secret, I would just be in the skies flying there," Noctis whispered softly.
"Yeah, it seems like it would be pretty helpful to get around fast. Too bad for the secrecy though."
"Yeah… I hope one day it can be public knowledge, but it would all factor on if people can accept it and not try to hunt me down."
"If anyone ever tries that, I will make sure to protect you," Prompto said proudly.
Noctis started to smile warmly. "Thanks Prom. But you don't have to do something like that… I got people at home for that stuff."
"But I can do it too!" Prompto pouted. "Who says your friend can't also protect you! I care about you so why can't I do what I can to keep you safe?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Prompto buried his face into his hands. Without even thinking he had just gone and blurted out how he felt. He admitted basically how special Noctis was to him.
"Hey," Noctis said softly as he placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "You don't have to be upset… I just, I'm still not used to having a friend like this. It's different and I don't… I don't want it to feel like you are obligated to protect me like the others are."
Shaking his head, Prompto slowly lifted his head up. "It's not about obligation, Noct. You are my friend, and I want to make sure you'll be okay. I want… I want to be ever at your side. And if trying to protect you if the need ever comes is part of doing that, then I will gladly do it."
Watching Noctis's eyes widen, he saw in a moment how in awe he was. Even the tint of blush on his cheeks was enough to tell Prompto that his words had at least made an impact. He could only hope now that it was a good kind of impact.
"Ever at my side?" Noctis asked softly.
"Yeah. Is… do you like that saying? Just kind of thought it up in the moment," Prompto asked as he fiddled with his shirt.
"I like it," Noctis answered softly. "If that's how you really feel, then I uh, well I can't stop you."
Grinning widely, Prompto nearly tackled to the ground. "Then 'ever at your side' it is!"
"Sounds like you are trying to promote a tagline or something," Nocits laughed as he tried to keep himself stable on the ground.
"Well maybe I am! I'll trademark it and print it on mugs and shirts, but don't worry you get the special discounted price."
"Wow, I sure must be special to get the special price."
"It's the price only for the bestest of friends. The one who is the best… the greatest, most amazing friend," Prompto said, pouring out all of his inner feelings. In this moment of energy and good feelings, he didn't care what he was saying. Noctis wasn't trying to back away, or trying to avoid the conversation, so Prompto was ready to embrace all of it.
Noctis leaned against Prompto, grinning at him with one of those special, rare smiles. "Glad that I'm amazing."
"You'll always be amazing Noct."
"And you're pretty amazing too," Noctis replied.
With a grand smile of his own, Prompto rested his forehead against Noctis's. "Then that makes us amazing together."
Together, walking side by side, they headed onwards towards Prompto's house. Now feeling a new sense of happiness between them, they knew that whatever they did next, it would be good. As long as they were by each other's side, it would be fun together.
So this is where I think I will end it. I may make a sequel story one day in the future going into more things, but for now this is where it ends. Thank you all who read. Please leave a comment if you want, I'd love to hear what you all thought.
