Heya,

aaand next chapter up :)! Nothing much to add to it, enjoy reading everyone!

bevin: Hey :D! How are you? Thank you so much for your comment! Well you know me, Promtis all the way, ha. I agree, Plumpto is too cute for words! I can only hope that my writing skill suffice by now to write the story I envision... :). Stay tuned!

Kamuel

Chapter Two

...

In the course of the next few days I set my tired eyes glued on a self-assigned duty of constant look-out for Prompto.

I actually didn't sleep much because I was in the process of memorizing all important and all insignificant parts of information about professional photography. Not that I had been actually able to discern between the important and the not so important bits of it.

Nighttime is the only time where I'm able to do whatever I want without anyone dictating or monitoring of how I spend my freetime. Umbra thankfully stayed a few nights by my side before departing, his unique puppy-breath and cute barks were helping me tremendously to stay awake whenever I was on the verge to fall asleep in my own embarrassing puddle of saliva. Which is a feat in itself, as my favorite activity in my freetime is sleeping. I didn't mention yet that I'm the King of Sleep, right? Is this something to be proud of? I'm not so sure anymore. The teachers at least are not amused.

So yeah, as one can see, if I'm serious about something I usually go all the way to the finish line, aware of my strength, that I can break through every single wall of confusion if I'm not able to comprehend something on the get go. To be perfectly honest, I stand in awe of myself right now. By now I learned the content of Ignis' photography books backwards. I can even recite all sentences and syllables in my sleep perfectly-if one would be sane enough to wish for me to do that, that is.

I'm now able to decipher Photo Jargon to a t. I learned speaking 'Photographer'-of which I surprisingly didn't know until the night before that this was actually a language of its own. I can count pixels with my eyes shut and I'm able to take needle-sharp selfies in front of blurred mirrors. I'm now a full fledged, self-taught expert of all things DPI, EV, F-stop and ISO. Camera malfunction? No problem, give it to me for repair and in a blink of an eye you get back a full-functioning, working device (what can I say, my warp-abilities come in very handy for such a time-consuming task). And just in case one is wondering why I'm sounding like a pro right now, let's just say that Ignis is a good teacher of proper mannerism and of respectable expression of language for the sole purpose to sound like an adult (or more like a high-strung freak of politeness) if a situation arises where it's required to act a certain way. It's uncanny how I even start to sound like Ignis at times, and to think I'll turn only fourteen years of age in a few months of time! Heaven, Ignis effective means to drill his dry knowledge into my sleepy brain can be frightening at times.

By now it might have become understandable that it's definitely high time for me to get a hold of a new friend to influence my current lifestyle to another level. I want my constrained horizon to widen up. I desperately need to feel my young age. I long to joke around and to misbehave with somebody close to me whom I can trust. Ignis is... well, Ignis. As much as I appreciate his loyalty and sincere friendship, he's all work and no fun. It's as if he turned into a mother hen overnight. And Gladio? He doesn't really count because his priorities have changed. He's three years older than I am, and we live mostly apart. At sixteen, a legal age in Lucis where one is allowed to use a sword in defense, he's now being taught proper combat in the military. I try not to be envious. Because he has all those high-ranked Kingsglaive around the clock assigned to him who personally teach him how to fight. Sounds really exciting, and this also sounds exactly like what I would prefer to do. But instead, I find myself going to a boring, public school, where I am being fawned over all day long by everyone. I feel like I'm some kind of an exotic animal belonging to a surreal kingdom of an extinct species.

Anyways, Prompto so far seems to be a breath of fresh air in my preprogrammed course of reality. He's the Neo in my Matrix.

In my reply, I promised to Luna to protect and care for Prompto to the best of my abilities. But I also admit of doing this out of selfish reasons, I just want him to be my friend. My behaviour in the past few days showed me a side of myself to which I wasn't aware of harboring until now. There is something about Prompto that makes me act differently. It's a thrilling experience, to finally have found someone worth the trouble of following every hour around in hopes to get a hold of him. It feels like a secret mission as I stare impatiently at the clock on the wall, day after day, hour after hour.

And so, today again, I find myself in the process of watching with growing frustration how time seems to slow down every single damn second, every damn time my eyes are following those slim watch hands, silently urging them to tick by faster. I swear that my eyeballs are in danger of rolling out of my skull, counter-clockwise, if class doesn't end anytime soon!

And then, finally, as soon as the bell rings, heralding another glorious ten minutes break inbetween the boring lessons, I jump up from my chair and leave the class room in a rush, not caring how my precious homework lying on my table suddenly flutters down on the floor in the storm of my haste.

I quickly run out of breath as I rush through the hallways, searching for Prompto in every dark corner. Yet again, I can't find the interesting fellow anywhere. Such a shame. I even brought a famous book full of beautiful photography with me today, wanting to discuss the jaw-dropping content with him.

Hm, could he be hiding from me? No, it can't be...

Did I scare him off? I mean, it's not everyday that THE famous Prince of Lucis is following you around, right? Eos forbid, to outsiders I might even come off as a stalker. Prompto seems to harbor a shy persona, so who knows, I have to take every possible outcome in consideration.

But meanwhile, I decide to just curse the facts of being reborn as a political figure and to be held by the people of Lucis to such a high esteem to hell and back. I never understood what the great deal was about being a Prince, nor have I ever cared about the true importance of my father's position as the King of this nation.

People can be truly ridiculous. I'm still me, I'm still human! I wish everyone could see that.

I reprimand myself for getting depressed over this stale issue again, so I force myself to stay patient, to stay optimistic. Indeed, being of royal blood has brought me nothing but grief, pain and loneliness so far, but I refuse for the negativity to overcome my heart and for it to stifle all hope inside of me. Prompto is different. In all instances where I had the pleasure to meet him he didn't fawn over my fame at all. He seemed so honest with his clumsy attempts (which are kinda endearing and sweet too now in afterthought) to befriend me.

I'm going to find Prompto and become his friend, no, his BEST friend. Even if it's the last thing I'll do.

Giving up now is not an option.

I'm an optimist after all.

...

In the afternoon, of course, it's time for me to pick up that optimism and toss it out the window by its scruff. Because I can feel my class mates' stares drill irritating holes into the back of my head, intensifying my already huge frustration which is currently clogged up in my gut like an undigested, mushy soup of leafy vegetables. A puke inducing dish, which by the way I hate with a passion yet unsurpassed. I guess my unusual, skittish behaviour all day made the people around me start to question my sanity. Not that I would ever care about what others think of me, but their oggling stares ruffle my feathers the wrong way, today even more so than ever before. It's becoming harder to ignore the longer I'm in this room.

When class ends, bless Eos, I go for another stroll around the whole school campus in hopes to catch Prompto unaware somewhere, careful of not stumbling over the arduous working members of my infamous fanclub.

Well, where in the world could Prompto be? At home? Maybe he called in sick. I didn't catch a glimpse of him all week and now I honestly start to worry about his whereabouts.

Heaving a huge sigh, I walk towards my father's car in resignation. From afar I can already see Ignis getting out of the car to meet me, he's holding the suicide doors wide open. He thinks that I've grown a healthy dose of irrational fear, all because of those nasty, automatic doors. They once have jammed my hand and it hurt like hell afterwards. A severe pain that couldn't be cured by any kind of potion for weeks. It was quite the traumatic experience.

When I reach the car, I slow my final steps down to a snail's pace to glance around me a few times. Still no sign of Prompto.

Tomorrow is Friday. Last day of the week at school, last chance of the week to meet him. If he doesn't show up tomorrow, I'll need to find out where he lives. But how do I get a hold of his address without becoming suspicious?

Great. Now I really start to sound like a creepy stalker.

I seem to take longer than usual to get into the car, because Ignis immediately inquires, "Noct, what's wrong?"

Letting my eyes drift over each empty street corner, careful to appear as nonchalant as possible, it wouldn't do for Ignis to find out my new obsession, I sound sad to my own ears despite forcing myself not to when I answer softly, "It's nothing."

As I make myself comfortable on the backseat of the place I feel most safe, my eyes do not stop to check out the area where Prompto once continuously appeared to spy on me, not until the driver turns the car around the corner, which is rending my ongoing fixation on that special road impossible. Again, I start to feel the sadness and resignation creep up my spine.

But then I shake my head, staring down at my hands as they clutch the fabric of my black trousers firmly.

No, I won't give up.

This is for Luna, my dearest friend.

This is for Prompto, a boy of whom I grew to think very fondly over such a short instance of time. He deserves it for the mere fact that he so selflessly cared for Pryna when she was lost and hurt.

It's decided then.

What I'm about to do is not wrong.

For the first time in my life I'll use my position as the Prince of Lucis to get my selfish way.

I have to find out if Prompto is alright.

By any means nessesary.

...

Today is Friday the thirteenth. How very fitting.

I've done the unthinkable today. The horror of all horrors.

Ugh, and now I feel guilty for having just exploited my power to get Prompto's address. It was ridiculously easy to charm Prompto's teacher around my little finger for him to hand out all the private information I needed. I really feel kind of bad now. Is this how my father feels whenever he has to deal with his heavy duties? Manipulating others to gain the upper hand in political matters? How is he able to handle something so vile as this all the time and stay as grounded as he is?

Argh, I don't want to think about this right now, it's depressing.

At least now I have a genuine alibi to visit Prompto's home. So this was worth all the hassle. I got permission from his teacher to bring his week's worth of homework to his home. I just found out that he has to turn it in next Monday sharp. I fear this weekend will be hell for him and I don't think he'll be able to finish his assignments in time without my help, sick or not.

So I did the unthinkable yet again. This is such a horrible day.

I used my power again and manipulated my private teacher at home to postpone and re-assign my weekend duties to next Saturday. If my father ever hears of what I've done, he'll be severely disappointed. Don't misunderstand, I love my father, he's the best. I try at all times my hardest to impress him, to catch up to him. I take my duty to be a shining example to the people of Lucis serious. Well, most of the time. But I know this stunt of mine today will surely bear consequences and this will take some serious damage to my honor and pride... but I have this inkling that Prompto will be worth all of it.

And then, I did something unthinkable again. Yeah, this isn't the end of it yet.

I used my advantage to manipulate Ignis to stay away from home and to pretend that I'm not available for the whole evening because he's in the process of teaching me the art of fishing. Everyone knows how much I like fishing, so officially he and I have gone for a fancy fishing session. I can't express my gratitude to Ignis with proper words for agreeing to this madness! I admit to have underestimated him. I couldn't sleep a wink all night because I feared he would decline all of my reckless shenanigans.

And right now, I sit in my fathers car, utterly excited for doing something so reckless and forbidden for my status, eagerly on my way to Prompto's home. The driver has promised to take this secret to his grave. And now I can't help but wonder how many other secrets he has to take to his grave? Wondering if my father has acted in the same way as I did mere minutes ago? Is this how my father feels the entire time he has to keep deadly information secret from everyone?

Argh, this is not the right time to mull over this. Get a grip!

We already have arrived at the destination.

Uff, I'm growing nervous for no reason at all, my legs feel all jittery all of a sudden.

I mean, nothing can go wrong, right?

I'll ring the bell, hand over his homework, offer my help to finish his assignments sooner.

Easy.

My heart seems to switch over to survival mode. That's how fast it beats now in my chest.

I can see Prompto's house properly now as the car screetches to a halt in front of it.

My hands start to sweat like crazy.

Eos, I can only hope that he's doing well.

...

"Hello? Is anybody home?"

I'm forced to call out for someone, then I sneak around the house, hopeful that I won't look suspicious to the neighbours as I take a look through the dark windows from the outside and trying to catch a glimpse of what's going on the inside. Nobody has answered the door and I already rang the bell for the last ten minutes nonstop. I'm patient, but not that patient to wait any longer. I wonder if I should leave? Did I arrive at an unconvenient time?

"Hello? Who is there?"

Prompto's raspy voice reaches my ears just when I make my way back to the entrance of his house in disappointment.

And there he is, looking somewhat sickly and unkept to my sharp eyes.

For whatever reason I feel my mouth go dry. What should I do? I'm a nervous wreck inside.

Now or never. He won't bite.

After what feels like ages, I stammer out, "I-it's me, Noctis."

His blue eyes grow in size when our eyes meet. I swear there is a slight cracking noise of his neck as his head turns in a sudden, swift motion in my direction.

I wince. This must have hurt.

"W-What..." He stutters.

I continue to watch him, in growing fond amusement, finding him impossibly endearing when he shuffles his bare feet and stumbles slightly over the doorstep from shock at the obvious unexpected sight that greets him like a bucked of ice-cold water.

"Prince N-Noctis! I-uh-what-why-err-you here?"

...

To be continued ;).