Chapter 3

Noctis had to try really hard not to smile constantly as he talked with Prompto. He knew that eventually Prompto would catch on and then it would just end up being awkward. Throughout the day he kept wanting to smile more and more at Prompto. Every moment he spent around him, the more in love he was feeling.

He wasn't sure exactly when he figured it out, but it was someway between buying the shirt and the last ride they went on. Noctis never really had been one to act on his feelings. He usually kept to himself and never gave anything much thought. Growing up he had lived a fairly lonely life with being tutored at home for nearly all of his years. Social interactions were definitely not his thing and he usually would try to avoid it if possible.

His only exceptions were his father and his two close friends. They were the only ones who could get past his initial cold outer barrier to see the kinder underneath. To everyone else he seemed like an unapproachable person. Hardly anyone ever just wanted to get to know him for who he was, but Prompto didn't seem put off by that outer shell. While a bit awkward and strange himself, Prompto right away made an easy, friendly connection with Noctis. It really was unlike anything else he had experienced before and he kept wanting it to go on.

At the moment Prompto was reaching for a fry, the pizza meal had come with plenty to split thankfully. Noctis wasn't even really paying attention to that, his eyes were on Prompto. As he listened to Prompto talk, currently the subject was on cameras, he felt his hand brush up against Prompto's.

Prompto's entire body flinched as he pulled back his hand quickly. "S-Sorry, didn't realize you also wanted a fry."

"Nah it's good you can have the rest if you want, that pizza was pretty filling for me."

"Even though we split it?"

"Yeah, it's cool. Go ahead and eat all the fries you want."

"Okay," Prompto muttered softly. "So uh after this, what do you wanna do?"

"Hmm well I am going to say probably let's not do any more water rides. Still feel a bit soaked and all," Noctis replied. "What do you say?"

"I uh maybe? I mean we could figure out things. There are other coasters that we could see or those flat rides? Maybe those would be the best cause, you know… heights and stuff. I've been okay so far but I don't know if I feel up to more right now."

Noctis shrugged. "That's okay, there are plenty of flat rides we can do then. The closest flat ride is just a little ways around, but it is a spinning type ride."

"Oh… yeah I don't know much I feel for more spinning rides, even if they are fun. What else do we got?"

"Okay so we got some rides that aren't super spinny. We have the classics swings ride, and a similar swinging ride but that one also works like a pendulum as it goes around? That's the best way I can explain it. Then there is the spinning pendulum ride uh… I mean honestly we could ride the kiddie coasters? There is the one in the designated kid's section but no one cares if you ride the coaster there. Then there is the other coaster just a little further down the way that is that one they moved from the old theme park that closed. We could hit those on the way to the swing ride?"

"That sounds like a good plan! I could do kiddie coasters. Swings too, swings sound good."

"Yeah… so maybe wanna head on over there now?"

Prompto nodded as he stood back up. "Sounds good, let's get going."

Back on the midway they walked side by side. Noctis kept letting his thoughts drift back to watching Prompto as they walked. Sure he was listening to him again but he kept being captivated by that adorable face.

There was such a temptation to reach out and hold on to him. Ever since their initial moment on their first roller coaster together, he had been feeling this small warmth growing in his chest. Every time he got close to Prompto and had one of those close moments with him, his heart was sent racing.

"Is this feeling…" Noctis thought to himself. "Is this really love? I can't stop thinking about it… I know I probably shouldn't be in love, but I can't help it. Dammit I wish Ignis was here… I could ask him. He would probably know what I should do."

He started to wonder though if Prompto was catching on to his weirdness. Almost every time they had an interaction that was closer than normal, Prompto got a bit finicky. Even back at the table with the fries, Prompto had reacted a bit oddly. He seemed more nervous than other people, but Noctis knew that he couldn't assume too much. After all he was a bit awkward himself in his own ways.

But he still wished he knew how to not make Prompto so uncomfortable. All he wanted now was to see that precious smile and hear more laughter. Maybe somehow he would figure out how to talk to him. Hopefully in time with the more time they spent together. He really was hoping at least he could do this.

They walked around the park up to where the next ride was, which was the kiddie coaster within the mini kid's section. They walked through the area and headed down the short queue for the ride. Since it was a kid's ride the line itself wasn't very long to begin with. Mainly it was just a few kids, some with their parents and that was it.

When they got to where the line ended some of the little kids in front of them turned around to stare for a moment. They looked at Noctis and Prompto with their big and curious eyes before smiling and waving and going back to talk to their parents.

Prompto started to chuckle after that, warranting Noctis to look at him. "What's so funny?"

"I thought we were seriously about to get harshly judged by some kids for going on this ride."

"What? Are you scared of little kids?" Noctis asked with a smirk.

"What? No! Just uh… maybe a little? They judge you so hard sometimes!"

Noctis laughed as he agreed. "I can't say you're wrong. I got a friend, he has a little sister five years younger than me. Oh boy… when she was younger she was the harsher judger you could ever know. She really was, and still is scary sometimes. But don't let her know I said that."

Noctis winked at Prompto after that and in reply Prompto did the zip the lip motion. "You got it. I won't say a word."

The line moved shortly after that and soon they were right at the front of the line. "So um, are we going to go to our own lines since this is a kids coaster or you think we can sit in the same car?"

"I bet we can squeeze in the same car. I've seen other people do it before. You up for it?"

"S-Sure," Prompto said, a bit softer than normal. "Let's do it."

Noctis nodded and they headed to one of the open rows, which was second from the front. When the car came around they waited for the kids from the last time to get off and then they were free to move on. Noctis could see that Prompto was breathing a little deeply, similar to a few moments he had seen before.

Carefully as he sat down he gave a concerned look. "You sure you're going to be okay?"

"Yeah of course! It's just a kid's coaster. Nothing to be scared about!" Prompto replied as he shifted in his seat. "Just a little snug ya know? But I'll be fine! No need to change or to move anything!"

"Okay… if you say so."

The attendant soon came and pushed the lap bar down and it locked into place. When the train pulled out from the station Noctis watched Prompto carefully, making sure that he wasn't going to freak out or anything again.

Thankfully Prompto seemed a little more at ease with this ride, even if he was focused on staring into the distance. Noctis licked his lips, trying to think of what he could say as they reached the top of the lift hill, but sadly nothing could come to mind.

His mouth felt dry and all trains of thought seemed to have left him, but once the ride got going Prompto bumped into him and he was met with the blond's concerned eyes. "S-Sorry!"

"It's fine," Noctis replied back. Since it was all that fast of a coaster, they could easily hear one another as they talked. "I guess any coaster can still scare you, ha ha!"

"Hey! I wasn't scared! Well not really, but uh…" Prompto tried to reply, but he seemed at a loss for his words. He pouted and looked away. "Whatever but I am not scared!"

"Suuuure thing," Noctis teased, hoping that it would help lighten the mood a little.

"No!" Prompto protested.

The coaster turned abruptly and Prompto crashed into Noctis again. Before Noctis could even say anything, Prompto glared at him, with his cheeks flushed. "Crashing into you doesn't mean I'm scared! It's just coaster stuff!"

"Still is fun though, right?"

"Still fun," Prompto agreed as the coaster made its final turn before pulling back into the station. "That's pretty short, but it was fun for a kid's coaster."

"Well we still got the rest of the stuff to visit, come on let's go!" Noctis said as he started into a brisk speed walk out of the ride area and back to the midway.

The two were now speed walking right next to each other, making it almost like a little friendly race. Thankfully at the next kid's coaster they did not have to sit smack up against each other and instead had their own seats, even if it was in the same car. Still just as enjoyable as the last ride and all the more moments that Noctis got to sit next to Prompto the better.

Every moment they stood together, walking together, sat together, Noctis felt more and more nervous. No matter what he did, he could not stop thinking about the fact he wanted to be closer to Prompto. All of the thoughts were cluttering up in his mind and it was starting to drive him crazy.

"Is it creepy of me to want to hug him? To want him to be around more cause I don't feel as lonely? I just can't understand it, I've never felt this way before about anyone, not until him." Noctis sighed deeply to himself, letting his thoughts get the better of him. "What can I say or do that wouldn't be weird? I can't just tell him I think I am falling in love with him… that's just a big nope. So what do I do…?"

"Dude?"

"Huh what?" Noctis said as he looked over to see Prompto looking at him.

"You kind of zoned out there. Everything okay?"

"No cause I think I've fallen in love with your adorable face," If Noctis hadn't stopped himself to think he would have left his thoughts to get the better of him. How he wished it would be that easy to just say what was on his mind. If only he was actually good at expressing those types of emotions.

"I'm fine," Noctis finally answered. "Just a little tired I guess."

"I guess all that walking and riding can really tire you out yeah?" Prompto asked as they took a break on one of the nearby benches.

"Sure, we have been here for several hours after all. It's getting late and stuff. Park's going to be closing soon anyways."

"Oh… Oh yeah. I guess I should be getting back home soon… I gotta make sure I don't miss the bus."

"What? You took a bus here?"

Prompto nodded. "Yeah I don't have a car and my parents aren't home so I had to take public transportation. It's no big deal though I've done it enough times I'm used to it, just don't wanna miss this hours bus and have to wait for the next."

Noctis started to shake his head. "No way!"

"What?"

"I mean you don't have to take the bus home and spend the money on that. I can drive you."

Prompto looked a little shocked by the statement. Maybe it was too sudden or too forward to say something like that so soon, but Noctis couldn't take it back now. All he had to do was wait for Prompto to reply and hope that he hadn't offended him at all.

"You don't have to do that," Prompto replied as he started to rub his arms. "You've already done enough for me today."

"It's nothing! Really! Just a friend giving a friend a ride home. So let's head out then?"

"Sure."

Prompto still seemed nervous, but he didn't say anything else on the matter. They walked out of the park together and Noctis led the way to his car. He smirked slightly to himself as he watched Prompto's eyes widened.

"Holy shit," Prompto gawked. "Is that… wait a minute that's the… this..."

"An Audi R8 Star of Lucis? What about it?" Noctis asked almost cheekily.

"That, I mean this is a one of a kind car! Well I mean only 10 were made in the entire world! I thought that they were all auditioned off to some anonymous businessmen or something."

Noctis shrugged casually. "Well my dad just happened to be in the business. He said originally he was going to get me a car by my 20th birthday if I didn't learn how to drive, but when he got this baby… I learned pretty fast and got it for my 18th."

Noctis unlocked the car and opened the side door. "Ready to drive in style?"

"Wow. Just uh… this is a big crazy thing for sure. Like I get to ride in one of the coolest cars ever," Prompto edged closer to the open door. "It's just so cool and still looks so new."

"Thanks, I try to take good care of it."

Prompto slipped into the passenger seat and was in awe once more. Noctis smiled before closing the door and heading around to the driver's seat. "I have never seen anyone else but myself gawk so much at a car."

"But dude!" Prompto exclaimed as he stared at Noctis. "This is an Audi R8 Star of Lucis! Vehicle enthusiasts are crazy for this stuff! That includes myself! What kind of friends do you have if they can't appreciate such beauty like you!"

The world seemed to stop at that very moment. Noctis wasn't even sure he was breathing anymore. Had he heard Prompto right? Or were his ears just playing tricks on him? He could barely wrap his head around the thought, barely even able to process it.

"What?" Noctis eventually managed to say.

Prompto's eyes were wider than ever before. His face practically burning red as he started to stumble and stutter over his words. "I um, I mean, this car! This car is a beauty! Like why wouldn't someone appreciate a beauty like this car!"

"Y-Yeah," Noctis replied. "Um that's what I thought you said."

Both boys looked away from each other and Noctis let out a quiet exhale. He knew what Prompto had said. He was sure of it and it was for sure not about the car. "He… He said I'm a beauty? That couldn't just be a mistake, no way."

Noctis could feel the heat rushing into his cheeks and his ears. His whole face was practically burning as if he had a fever. "Breathe… come on, don't over react about this. Maybe I really did hear him wrong. Yeah… I probably just wanted to hear that… but then why was he so nervous?"

"Sorry… I made things a bit awkward, didn't I?" Prompto finally replied, his voice a little weak now.

Noctis shook his head, not wanting Prompto to get the wrong idea. "No! You didn't do that! I just uh.. I um…"

"Out with it already otherwise you'll be the one making it awkward…" Noctis scolded himself internally. He could always see that Prompto was too worried to believe him, and if he kept up the silence it was only going to get worse between them.

He needed to say something… anything. He just needed something to get them away from this awkward moment.

"...So what's more beautiful, me or the car?"

As soon as the words left Noctis's lips, he wished that he could slap himself. Out of everything that he could have said, that was possibly the stupidest one.

Prompto's mouth was hanging open, far more caught off guard than moments before. "Uhh…?"

"Shit, I just made it even weirder." Noctis sighed as he buried his hands, leaning on the steering wheel slightly. "Sorry… it's just that I'm…"

With a deep breath Noctis sat up and faced Prompto. He could feel his gut knotting up as he tried to choke out the words. "I know this is going to sound weird, but I think I just need to get it off my chest."

"O-Okay?" Prompto asked, still seeming a little flustered and confused.

"So like I think I am…" Noctis breathed in deeply. If he was going to do this, he had to not stop half way. "I may be in love with you?"

"I-In love…" Prompto gasped. "With m-me?"

Noctis nodded without speaking, not knowing just how Prompto was going to react next. It could only go two ways, and Noctis was starting to dread which it would be. He waited and each second felt like hours passing. The world was still frozen and it was just him and Prompto, not anyone or anything else. All he could see and focus on was Prompto and what his answer would be.

"Why?"

That wasn't one of the options Noctis had considered. "What do you mean 'why'?"

"Like… why would you feel that way about me?"

"Why wouldn't I feel that way about you!" Noctis replied, once again with barely any thought. "You're the coolest person I've ever met."

"But you just met me today."

"That doesn't matter. I know we just met, but I really have enjoyed today, every moment."

A small sniffle escaped from Prompto. He went to wipe at his eyes, looking like he was about to fall apart at any moment. "Y-You really mean it? You're not just trying to mess with me or something?"

Noctis leaned forward and grabbed onto Prompto's hands without warning. He looked Prompto dead in the eyes, hoping he could ease that fear and unease that he saw. "I promise I'm really not. I don't know much about love or anything, but you… when I was with you today, I felt… I just uh…"

He felt Prompto's fingers wrap back around his. They were a bit clammy, maybe even trembling slightly, but his grip was fierce. "You felt something that was different?"

"Y-Yeah that," Noctis admitted, a little embarrassed he still couldn't get his words straight. "I really liked spending the day with you. I only have a few friends… I never felt this way with them. I'm not… being too weird with this or anything? I just didn't know if you were…"

"Gay?" Prompto answered. He started to smile a little. "I guess I was thinking the same thing."

A moment later Prompto looked down and saw their hands were still together. Nervously he pulled his back and started to laugh nervously. "Ha ha… I guess we got a little carried away though? G-Getting that close so suddenly? We should like, take things slower maybe? I don't know, I just think that… ah! I don't know."

"Slow yeah, that sounds good! Just sorry if I made you uncomfortable at all."

Prompto shook his head. "N-No. You're good. Just really not what I was expecting."

Noctis hummed, still feeling a bit uncertain now. He wanted to ask more but he felt he would only make Prompto feel worse. So he cleared his throat. "Okay, so where do you live?"

"Where do I live? Oh.. Oh yeah you need my address."

After Prompto gave his address, Noctis filled it into the GPS and then began their drive. Silence had fallen over them and Noctis really was trying to let it not bug him. He had to focus on driving after all, he couldn't stop to stare at Prompto every moment.

Eventually they arrived at Prompto's house and Noctis went to walk Prompto to the door. "So, maybe we could see each other again soon? Cause… well you know?"

"We could plan something for sure! Just give me like a bit? My head...it's still a bit much."

Noctis sighed. He couldn't help but feel bad about doing that to poor Prompto. "Sorry I piled it up so soon. But hey we can hang out more! That's great!"

Prompto nodded silently as he unlocked his door. He pushed it and let it swing open. He stood there, practically froze as he stared into the hallway. There were no lights on so it looked pretty dark and from the way Prompto hesitated, Noctis figured something was up.

"You okay?"

Prompto glanced to the driveway, which was empty, and then to the doorway again. He started to nod slowly. "Y-Yeah, just fine. I just thought… never mind. It's nothing."

"Okay if you say so. I guess I should get going though. Talk to you later?"

"S-See you around yeah…" Prompto answered weakly.

Noctis hummed to himself. Something about this still didn't feel right. The uneasy feeling in his stomach wasn't going to lte him leave so easily, not without getting some kind of answer. Reaching out he placed his hand on Prompto's arm. "Hey, you know you could tell-"

Prompto let out a small panicked sound as he pulled away from Noctis. He stared at him, eyes beginning to water. He looked so scared in that moment, Noctis was afraid he actually had hurt him.

"Prompto… what's wrong? Are you-"

Before he could even finish, Prompto grabbed on to him, burying his face into the crook of his neck. Noctis now could feel Prompto's entire body trembling against his own, as well as his shaking breath. Even if he didn't know what was going on, he slowly started to wrap his arms around Prompto.

"Hey… Hey it's okay."

"P-Please… don't let go…" Prompto whimpered. "I don't want it to end. I don't w-want to be alone again."

"Alone? Why would…"

Noctis trailed off with his thoughts when he started to put the pieces together. The more he gave it thought, the more sense it was starting to make. He knew he was no expert on the human mind or anything like that, but he knew one thing for sure, and that was feeling lonely.

He had his version of a lonely life that he had lived through and he knew exactly how it felt to be left alone in a house with no one in it. The days that his father worked late, which was usually quite often, Noctis would shut himself up in his room and sit there until his father came home. He was always happy when he did, but until then every moment alone was utterly horrible.

"Um Prompto," Noctis started to ask. "You said your parents aren't home. Do you know when they will be back?"

Prompto shook his head vigorously. "N-No… they… they've been away for three months already."

Noctis gasped. "Three months?! And you don't even know when they are going to return? Don't they call you or something to talk?"

"No… they're usually too busy with work," Prompto replied as he gripped Noctis's shirt. "It's okay though… It's happened… it always happens. I'm used to it."

That was it. Those few pained words struck a cord deep within Noctis. He barely knew a thing about Prompto's parents, but he already wanted to pummel their heads into the ground. While he knew his own father was busy, he also knew that his father loved him dearly, and would try to make as much time as he could for him. While yes there were days Noctis felt lonely, he knew that his dad would make it up to him in the end.

Prompto's parents? They didn't even sound like parents that would give Prompto the time of day if he asked.

"Already that's it! Fuck them! That's messed up and I am not going to stand for any of that!"

Prompto shifted, tilting his head to look at Noctis slightly. His eyes were already red, and Noctis's heart sunk even deeper than before. Then of course Prompto spoke again and his fragile voice made Noctis want to squeeze him even tighter.

"Wh-What? But Noct… you… you don't have-"

"Yes I have to and I am going to! I am not going to let my new best friend stay home alone for who knows how long. Pack your things, you are going to come stay with me. I won't hear any objections, okay?"

Prompto sobbed louder than before. Noctis knew he was probably still in shock from what had just been said, but he wasn't going to let anything else bad happen to Prompto. This urge he felt, he knew that it was a deep desire to protect Prompto. He would be guilty conscious if he left Prompto on his own like this. He cared too much to do that.

"Noct…" Prompto whispered.

"I'm here for you Prom," Noctis whispered back. "I told you I love you remember? That means I am going to do whatever I can to make you happy. Okay? So please, come with me."

Prompto's breathing started to calm down after that. He started taking in some depth braths and eventually he nodded. "Y-Yeah… okay."

With that, the two of them headed inside and started to gather up as much of Prompto's stuff as they could and put it in the car. They gathered up his clothes, books, photo albums, and his phone charger before headed back to the front door. There wasn't actually a whole lot of stuff that Proompto had that was his own, which only further made Noctis's heart sink. He knew the first thing that he was going to do when they got to his house was get Prompto a proper computer of his own. He was going to spoil him rotten.

Currently they stood in the kitchen, Prompto was staring down at a piece of paper. "I don't know… what if I leave a note and then they try to come to take me back?"

"I won't let them," Noctis replied as he gave a serious stare. "I am not going to let them take you away from me."

Prompto started to smile with a little bit of blush in his cheeks. "Thanks, Noct."

"I promise I will do whatever I can to protect you, I'll even talk to my father about it. I'm sure he'll know what to do. Besides, he'll be happy to meet you."

There was a hum of agreement before Prompto started to write the note. "Thanks again… really."

"No probably. I'm here for you."

Noctis reached forward and placed his hand on Prompto's shoulder. The blond winced and Noctis pulled away. "Sorry… um I have been meaning to ask. You don't have like, a sensory issue? Like uh Iggy told me about this once, some people are sensitive to touch cause their nerves are like wounds different or something. I can't remember."

"N-No, it isn't that," Prompto admitted softly. "I'm just not… used to being touched."

"Used to being… wait… don't tell me that your parents barely even hugged you as a child."

From the way Prompto didn't answer, Noctis had to take that as a yes. "I'm sorry Prom… all those times then today, I was making you feel uncomfortable."

"Not really… or sort of? I mean I'm not used to it for one thing, but when you did it, sometimes I would want more. I want to feel that warmth…"

Noctis listened carefully as he remembered back to when they first arrived at the house. He remembered how Prompto clinged to him, telling him not to let go. On top of that he thought over the entire day and every moment he was closer than normal around Prompto. All the accidental and awkward moments they touched. The entire time Prompto was craving for someone to give him something he never had in his childhood, and Noctis had no idea.

"Hey, if you want a hug or something, you could just ask. I don't mind."

"You don't find it weird?" Prompto muttered.

"No I don't. No one should be neglected from getting hugs and stuff. I'm sorry but your parents are real assholes for doing that to you. I'm not going to be like that though. I'll give you all the hugs and stuff you need."

Prompto choked back another sob and Noctis pulled him into a hug with no question. Again Prompto's body was trembling in his grasp but Noctis made sure not to let up. He started even rubbing Prompto's back gently, hoping that it could help in some way or form. He would give all the love that he could to Prompto and help him to make sure that he felt loved.

"Ready to get going? I'm sure once we leave this place you'll start to feel better."

"Sounds good," Prompto agreed once he pulled away from Noctis. "And Noct… thanks."

"Hey, what are friends for? I told you I am here for you."

"Yeah, friends," Prompto said, this time a bit softer than before. He was smiling, but he looked almost conflicted for some reason.

Noctis wasn't too sure what it was, but he decided to just take a stab in the dark. He only hoped he wouldn't sound stupid like before. "If this is about before, in the car, uh if you want to be… more than just friends, we could?"

"Like… boyfriends?"

"Sure, if you want to. I know we avoided talking about it before and all though."

Prompto stepped a little closer to Noctis. Reaching forward he grabbed on to his hand and laced his fingers with his. He started to smile much brighter than he did before. "I think I'd like that."

ITS FINALLY FINISHED! AHH I am so happy that I made it through this all. Thank you all who read this and I hope you enjoyed!